Is human cloning ethical?

Personally for me I am very intrigued with the possibility of cloning a human; but at the same time it scares me to think of the repercussions. If it becomes possible, there will be situations where people with terminal organs clone themselves and harvest organs. This is 2010, we can't be nieve enough to think that wouldn't happen. If you have the money its a real possibility. And that just disturbs me.

You also have to think why? What would be the reason to clone somebody? The one thing that all humans covet is their uniqueness, we are our own person. Although twins could arguably negate this fact, it does have some discussion merit.

You also have to think about the law and crimes. Having an identical genetic structure means your fingerprints and DNA left at the scene of a crime also belong to perhaps multiple counterparts. I'm just naming out a few possible dilemmas, I'd love to hear what you guys think.

I think it would start a pretty big disagreement for most religions, especially those that believe only humans have souls and would go as far as to say a copy of a human wouldn't have a sole, but just be an empty vessel. I've just got a feeling that it would go beyond ethics and more into spiritual beliefs. =\

To be honest, I'd be more for the use of Surrogates (like in the movie, Surrogate starring Bruce Willis). You'd still have the advantages of cloning, but it would be more controlled. :)

Something I don't understand about cloning is the potential of everybody actually doing it. People assume when the technology exists to have the ability to instantly clone another that people will, without a second thought, do it. My question is simply, "Why would you need to clone yourself?"

You mentioned using your clone to harvest organs but we'll have the technology to grow all human organs long before the ability to clone somebody on an efficient scale. I guess I really don't see any advantages to cloning that haven't already been covered using other materials.

The cloning process involves removing all the genes from an egg cell, attaching a cell from a donor, and letting the egg grow. The problem is that many people believe that by removing the genes from the egg cell, you are killing a life. The thing they don't understand, is that:
1) What are the odds that a life will be born in that one, specific egg cell? Practically infinity to zero.
2) There's no life in that egg cell yet.
3) You're creating another life. Even if by some incredible chance, you do use the one egg cell that was supposed to fuse with a sperm cell, you are infusing it with a cell, and by doing that, creating a new life.
4) It's the same as abortion. Is an egg a chicken? Is an acorn a tree? Is a silkworm a dress? Then is an egg cell a human?

I used to think the interest in cloning was all about having your own personal parts store. But now that we can literally grow complete organs, like bladders, in a lab, that really won't be the draw anymore. I can't imagine why I would ever unleash another me in the world. I have enough problems managing my own self. As the original would I feel responsible for my clone? I don't even want a cat :) what would I do with another me?

Well, one must believe in ethics to decide whether it is morally correct or incorrect. My personal opinion is that for every reason the may be considered morally correct when doing cloning has the potential to be exploited and used in a morally incorrect way. For example: Scientist wish to use cloning in order to create many donor organs for sick patients. I think that could be considered admirable reason to use cloning. But some health type company is going to attempt to have to monopoly over this business, and in doing so they can create lots of profit for their magnificent donor organs, as well as have the option to deny certain patients under the pretense that it is unnecessary for them, too experimental, or whatever other lame excuse they decide to make up. That then voids the original purpose of cloning for a good cause. But, greed often does that.

I think ultimately there is more bad to be had than good because most people in charge of things are not good people.

As long as the clone has no capacity for consciousness, there are no ethical concerns that can be seriously entertained. At least none that are divorced from religion.

i hear that you are saying human cloning in not good,what is cloning all about? i dont understand this word ''cloning''?