or those protesting human cloning. Another benefit that may come from cloning is the prospect of cloning human organs perfectly matched to their recipients. There are approximately 50,000 people on the National Waiting List for an organ transplant, and of this number, only 20,000 will actually receive a transplant (Stearn). Also, cloning organs does not necessitate the creation of a new human being. Scientists are now isolating human embryonic stem cells, which have the capacity to become any tissue in the body (Wilmut). With this technology cloning could make it possible to grow tissue and organs from a patient's own cells, overcoming problems of rejection (New Scientist). On the other side of the debate, some of those who advocate the ban on cloning argue that cloning is immoral and against God's will. Many people feel that scientists should not have the power to "play God' under any circumstances and are appalled with the notion that scientists are creating life through cloning. E. V. Kontorovich said in his National Review article, "Cloning would take the humanity out of human reproduction." His view is that cloning humans leads to genetically designed children. In an article by Leon R. Kass, the "perversities of cloning" include a troubled psychic identity for the child, turning procreation into manufacturing, and egotistically seeking to make others into one's own image instead of accepting them as they are born (Kass). Supporters of these claims often support an international ban on cloning that is upheld in every way possible, and like Kass, take a Utilitarian standpoint on the issue. The fears of those advocating a ban on cloning seem to have some validity. Human decency has been ignored in the past in the name of scientific advancement, and will most likely be ignored again. It seems as if many of our world leaders from the past would have grossly abused powerful (and therefore dangerous) technology like cloning, ...
