Bioethics

Caplan on Cloning Human Embryos

By Arthur Caplan Art Caplan has a new column out spurred by the announcement that researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University have successfully cloned human embryos.  Recognizing the possible ethical concerns and calling for immediate bans on human reproductive cloning (not cloning for stem cell research), Caplan hopefully notes: “Through cloning you can take a disabled…

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By Arthur Caplan

Art Caplan has a new column out spurred by the announcement that researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University have successfully cloned human embryos.  Recognizing the possible ethical concerns and calling for immediate bans on human reproductive cloning (not cloning for stem cell research), Caplan hopefully notes: “Through cloning you can take a disabled or sick person’s DNA from one of their body cells, insert it into a human egg from which the DNA has been removed, fuse the cell electrically (the technique used in Oregon) and create an embryo from which cells can be grown that are identical matches to what the sick or disabled person needs.”

Take a look at the full column here.

About the author

  • Art Caplan

    Art Caplan is a bioethicist and has been a long time Bill of Health contributor. He is the Director of the Division of Medical Ethics in the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone Medical Center