"Cloning of an entire human will not be a serious issue because of the risks involved and the limited benefits," concluded Dr. Jeff Botkin when he spoke to the Humanists of Utah December 10th. The Associate Professor of Medical Ethics at the University of Utah graciously took the time to provide an appreciative nonprofessional audience the basic fundamentals of the reproductive process. He explained how a new life is produced by the combining of cells of two mature members of a species. Cloning is a new science that has developed the ability to mimic the process in a nonsexual design. Cloning creates a new life from a single member of a species by simply growing a genetic copy of that individual.

Cloning of plants has been a successful practice for years but the breakthrough in the cloning of animal life is a new phenomenon and to date is a very inefficient way to produce a new life. But with improving efficiency, science is on the edge of being successful in cloning human life. And that is raising ethical questions in many minds.

Dr.Botkin explored the question, "Why would someone want to clone a human?" He discussed four scenarios:

1. Create a child for a couple that is infertile.
2. Create a child for a couple having a high risk of producing a child with a serious genetic illness.
3. Create a child for childless widow.
4. Generate organs for transplantation.

The National Bioethics Advisory Committee finds the fourth case to be the most compelling, but Dr. Botkin says even though the fourth case might justify human cloning, there are many questions that need exploration before we embark on developing the technology. One challenge is the need to increase the efficiency of the cloning process, and second is creating clones free of abnormalities. He also called attention to philosophic questions and societal attitudes.

In response to the fear that human cloning could create an army of identical human robots that could be used for evil purposes, he said this concern can be dismissed quickly because human personalities are the result of nurture as well as nature.

"Dedication to research on these issues and informed public dialogue are essential," said Dr. Botkin. The audience of nearly 100 engaged Dr. Botkin in a lively and interesting discussion following his formal presentation.

--Wayne Wilson