Cloning Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Cloning - Research Paper Example Advocates of cloning practices say that it may, among other things, serve society as an effective alternative treatment for infertility. The cloning of animals has stirred the debate about the ethical, legal and social aspects regarding human cloning. Cloning is the creation of an embryo by the method of human somatic cell nuclear transfer. This procedure involves implanting DNA cells from an organism into an egg whose DNA nucleus has been removed then chemically treated so that the egg begins to behave as though fertilization has occurred. This results in the creation of embryonic growth of another organism that contains the complete genetic code of the original organism. Through this process, the cloning of mammals has resulted in, to date, hundreds of cloned organisms born. â€Å"The term clone is used in many different contexts in biological research but in its most simple and strict sense, it refers to a precise genetic copy of a molecule, cell, plant, animal, or human being. In some of these contexts, cloning refers to established technologies that have been part of agricultural practice for a very long time and currently form an important part of the foundations of modern biological research† (Nussbaum & Sunstein, 1 998, p. 1). Though this process has produced many live successes, it has proved considerably less likely to produce successful pregnancies than those conceived through sexual reproduction. In addition, the majority of cloned animals have experienced some type of birth defect. Replication of an organism’s DNA identity does not occur naturally within mammals. Only plants produce offspring through replication from one generation to the next. â€Å"The prospect of such replication for humans has resulted in the most controversial debate about reproduction ever to be taken up in western civilization† (McGee,

Sociology of Marriage and Family Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Sociology of Marriage and Family - Essay Example As Andrew Sullivan has argued, if the future of marriage is a critical ground of contestation in the wider world, it is hardly surprising that lesbians and gays should focus their demands on it. If parenting is perceived as in major need of rethinking, then why should non-heterosexuals be excluded from the debate? They should be given equal rights and norms like heterosexuals. If families get ever more complex as a result of divorce, remarriage, recombination, and step-parenting, why should the chosen families of lesbians and gays be denied a voice? Even the ghost of uncontrolled homosexuality has been downplayed in today’s recent sexual world, it is amazing that despite the greater public presence of homosexual couples, researchers suggest that self-identified non-heterosexuals from a tiny percentage of a given population. There is still a surprisingly high degree of stability in family relationships, even if, as the form is changing. One of the most fundamental issues lies in the decline of the traditional heterosexual centrality of marriage as it is seen that heterosexual marriages involve the contribution of two partners more tended towards the family issues. At its most evocative, this type is seen as a haven of trust, mutual involvement and shared responsibilities, which many argue offers the best hope for a communitarian culture. But the fact, which is neglected today, is this haven of trust which builds communitarian culture serves as the basis for today’s major issues like a break-up, divorce, separation etc.... If families get ever more complex as a result of divorce, remarriage, recombination and step-parenting, why should the chosen families of lesbians and gays, composed of lovers, ex-lovers and friends, be denied a voice (Catherine, 2001, p. 25) Even the ghost of uncontrolled homosexuality has been downplayed in today's recent sexual world, it is amazing that despite the greater public presence of homosexual couples, researchers suggest that self-identified non-heterosexuals form a tiny percentage of a given population. There is still a surprisingly high degree of stability in family relationships, even if, as the form is changing. (Catherine, 2001, p. 25) One of the most fundamental issue, lies in the decline of the traditional heterosexual centrality of marriage as it is seen that heterosexual marriages involves the contribution of two partners more tended towards the family issues. At its most evocative, this type is seen as a haven of trust, mutual involvement and shared responsibilities, which many argue offers the best hope for a communitarian culture. But the fact, which is neglected today, is this haven of trust which builds communitarian culture serves as the basis for today's major issues like break-up, divorce, separation etc. So, in these circumstances what is the harm if one seeks his/her satisfaction in homosexual affair. The privileging of homosexual patterns is vividly apparent even in the most liberal discussions of the family and sexual diversity. On the one hand, many theoreticians give verbal recognition to the variety of family forms, and shift their concerns to the quality of relationships, and to the care of