Cloning is a process wherein an organisms, or group of organisms, are derived from another organism by a nonsexual reproductive process. The word cloning has been applied to cells as well as to organisms; a group of cells stemming from a single cell is also called a clone. Usually the members of a clone are identical in their inherited characteristics which is in their genes except for any differences caused by mutation. Identical twins, for example, who originate from the division of a single fertilized egg, are members of a clone; whereas non-identical twins, derived from two separate fertilized eggs, are not clones. The creation of Dolly represents a unique advancement for cloning technology, but it inevitably intensified the debate about subjecting humans to cloning. Rather than a prelude to human cloning, however, many scientists herald the achievement as the forerunner of a revolution in animal breeding that will allow the highest quality farm animals to be produced and will provide a cost-effective method of producing medicines for human use. Cloning may also be used to create genetically altered animals capable of providing major organs for surgical transplantation into human beings (Lauerman, 2002).

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Cloning

Somatic cell nuclear transfer cloning is the process by which the genotype of an adult, differentiated cell can be used to create a human embryo by transferring its nucleus to a human egg that was surgically removed a nucleus without any damage. The result of such is then gestated to create a human child that will be a delayed genetic twin of its genetic ancestor (Pence, 1998).

In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization is an assisted reproductive technology in which one or more eggs are fertilized outside a female’s body. This technique has been used extensively in animal embryological research for decades, but only since 1978 has it been successfully applied to human reproduction. In human reproduction the process involves stimulation of the growth of multiple eggs by the daily injection of hormone medications. In this process a physician performs a minor operation on the woman in order to remove an egg or oocyte from her ovary by inserting a small needle into the egg follicle, and then placing the egg in a shallow tube or test-tube containing the sperm and a special medium. For several days, the fertilized egg remains in incubation in the environment simulating the womb, and when it reaches the eight-cell embryo, or blastocyst, stage, coinciding with the normal time of implantation, the physician implants the fertilized egg or embryo back into the uterus of the mother. IVF is clearly a humanitarian milestone and is supportive of the family since it enables a couple to achieve pregnancy. The IVF technique bypasses damaged or blocked fallopian tubes and overcome problems of ovulation and certain genetic disorders, as well as low sperm count (Freedman 1991).

Morality of the Discussed Methods of Creating a Child

From both discussions of the methods of creating a child it can be ascertained that there is no moral difference between the two methods. The two methods although can benefit couples who can’t have children is both not currently morally acceptable. The said methods are interfering with the normal process of having a baby. In using the Somatic cell nuclear transfer cloning science takes a big part in the process. Even if natural components are used in the process, science plays a bigger role for the formation of the baby. This is the same with the In vitro fertilization wherein the womb of the woman is used as a carrier of a processed baby but scientific processes still has a large influence on the conception of the baby. As mentioned earlier both processes are not morally different, they both are morally unacceptable, both also can be considered unethical. Using different ways for a couple to have a child is not wrong, what makes the two methods wrong is when science interferes the natural process of conceiving. The two method possibly aims to acquire the best genes from parents but even if the child has the best gene of both his/her parents no one can be certain of what will happen to the child in the future.