Essay – Cloning 1st Draft

Introductory Paragraph:
Cloning or the duplication of cells and DNA has been a scientific dream for centuries. Just

the thought of recreating an exact copy of any creature excites scientists. Now, as modern

technology rapidly evolves, that dream is almost a reality. Researchers around the world now unite

in an attempt to discover the breakthrough that would advance our lives to the next generation.

And so, with the goal of artificial cloning, our scientists look forward to the many possibilities of

how successful cloning could revolutionize our planet. There are three major, ground-breaking

results of what further experimentation on cloning could provide. First of all, cloning of certain

genes of bacteria that are effective against particular animals and insects would destroy the need

for harmful pesticides in agriculture. Secondly, species that are critically endangered due to very

low population could be saved by cloning as it would increase the number of that certain species.

Finally, cloning of human organs could save lives of patients awaiting transplants.

Due to these benefits for humanity and nature, research and experiments based on cloning should

be continued and thoroughly supported.   

1st Body Paragraph (Second Strongest):
The first major reason as to why studies on cloning should be continued is because cloning

of certain bacteria could significantly assist agriculture worldwide and reduce the need for

pesticides. Ever since the start of civilization, protecting one’s crops from animals and insects has

been a hassle for many farmers. In fact, this issue has escalated so far that it is at a point where

farmers use very harmful chemicals such as pesticides to protect the harvests. Though such

chemicals do work, they also affect the produce very harmfully. And soon after, most of that

produce is sold to the general public to consume. For all the physical damage that can occur in a

human body after consuming large amounts of pesticides, killing pests with such chemicals are truly

not worth it. After much research, scientists have been able to create the BT (Bacillus thuringiensis)

corn, a genetically engineered crop that is designed to contain a gene from the Bacillus

thuringiensis bacteria. This substance is a natural occurring soil bacterium that has proved effective

against insects and certain animals, and with the cloning of the certain gene, pesticides would no

longer be needed in general agriculture (Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University,

The Netherlands and Department of Environmental and Resource Economics, Center for European

Economic Research (ZEW), Germany). Furthermore, analysis by the United States EPA (Environment

Protection Agency) found that BT crops posed no significant risks to the environment or to the

human health (Mendelsohn, Kough, Vaituzis, and Matthews 1003). And for the truth to be told,

according to the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) of 2005, the farmers that

adopted the use of BT crops (In this case BT corn) experienced higher yields, on average than corn

producers planting conventional seeds. Corn yields were 17 bushels (Equal to 598.4 Liters) higher

per acre than non-adopters on average. Also, adopters of BT corn had decreased use of insecticides

therefore had higher profits (Fernandez-Cornejo, and James Wechsler).  

2nd Body Paragraph (Weakest):
Another reason as to why study on cloning should continue to be pursued is because it can

revive populations of endangered species. The Royal Bengal Tiger, the Polar Bear, the Pacific

Walrus, the Mountain Gorilla, and the Giant Panda are only five of the 3079 endangered animals.

These creatures are at a point where within the next century, many of them may cease to exist. Yet,

they are only the animals. Other than them, there are 2665 plants, and though new species are

found often, it is not nearly at the same rate as of what we are losing. However, one of the only

possibilities of saving our endangered species is the process of cloning. For the past decade,

scientists have been pursuing the cloning of our planet’s rarest species. Their first sign of success

occurred on July 5th, 1996 when scientists of the Roslin Institute managed to create a sheep from

reproductive cloning. The sheep was name Dolly. The cloned animal was featured across the globe

being known as the first cloned animal. Dolly aged six years, all of which she spent inside the

institute. There, she was bred with a Welsh mountain ram, and in total, produced six lambs. Finally,

on February 14th, 2003, Dolly the world’s first cloned animal died due to a developing lung disease

(The Roslin Institute). Right after the creation of Dolly, scientists of Lowa, US cloned an endangered

Asian Gaur (A type of ox native to Southeast Asia and India). Though the animal died within its first

48 hours, the ox and the sheep were living proof that animal cloning could be done (Lanza P.,

Dresser L., and Philip 85-86). Other than cloning random or endangered animals, scientists have also

attempted to clone extinct animals such as the wooly mammoth. Using frozen specimens recovered

from Siberia, scientists from the North-American Federal University are analyzing the specimens

with hope to find any live cells which contribute greatly to successful experimentation (BBC News).
3rd Body Paragraph (Strongest):
Another reason as to why research on cloning should be continued is because it can greatly

contribute to health care. These days, many health emergencies are due to dysfunctional organs

needing transplants. In fact, according to the New York Organ Donor Network, over 117 000 people

in USA alone are awaiting organ transplants. However, there are just not enough organ donors for

the needy and mechanical organs have many faults as well. That is where cloning, or therapeutic

cloning to be precise, comes in. With cells and DNA extracted from functional organs, scientists can

create duplicate organs which can be used for transplants (Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Human

Genome Project). Recent success of such cloning has been discovered in London, UK where

scientists created the first human embryo from slivers of skin (Times of India). And furthermore, in

a world where organ transplants from other donors often end in rejection from the patient’s

immune system, cloning of organs from the patient’s own DNA can avoid any rejection

(Biotechnology Industry Organization).

Conclusion:

In conclusion, studies on cloning should be continued and supported worldwide as

successful results can greatly benefits mankind. As scientists believe, cloning of certain bacteria can

destroy the need for pesticides and revolutionize agriculture. It also has the ability to save

endangered species from extinction as well revive the extinct. Finally, this scientific process can

create duplicate organs for transplant too. So, for the future of bioengineering and a new age of

planetary ecology, relieve the hesitation and pursue the science of our lives.