2007-02-09 01:07:32 · 9 answers · asked by hayden m 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The cost is not great. What is the cost of cloning? Virtually none. Fine maybe in the cloning process several eggs may be killed, but these eggs weren't even fertilized to start with, they were just taken from the female. The only real cost of cloning is the money invested, which is inevitable in every type of scientific research, and possible consequences because of ethical issues. But to the contrary, not cloning would have a higher cost to society than cloning. Society needs scientific research to advance.
2007-02-09 01:13:42 · answer #1 · answered by kz 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The economical cost is great, and now the political cost is getting greater huh. You can learn so much from cloning, and you're not playing God. You would be playing God if you created an entire universe from nothing and were able to keep track of everything everytime. But here you don't even create life, there has to be a living cell to start with.
A good site to show the potential of genetic research would be nova science. Great no adversary efect drugs can be created by cloning/modifying single celled organisms (if you didn't know, insulin is one of them... and not to mention brest cancer cure, and soon many others). Imagine this: a cell has a basic protection that can identify viruses, viruses have mutated to avoid this protection. you could change their DNA clone them and then you would have a virus that can be identified by the cell, then the cell would be able to destroy all other similar viruses. It's a bit more complicated than that, but with a bit of help from openminded people it can be done. The 57% who voted against cloning probably enter the type who say "don't do any more research, who knows what's out there, I want to live in my box, don't open it" But unfortunately in the USA the majority thinks like that so: they banned cloning.
2007-02-09 02:49:37 · answer #2 · answered by Mihai 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually the cost is extremely high, at least economically. The technology behind cloning is expensive, it costs far more per head to generate a cloned animal than a regular animal. (I'm not going to touch on the use of embryos or ethics).
The reason it is still a desirable practice is because it allows you complete and total control over the genetics of the offspring. That's a HUGE advantage, especially if you're a breeder. If you develop or find a desirable trait in cattle, for example, it can take many generations to develop a herd that is consistent for that trait by traditional breeding methods. However, if you can make a dozen clones with the trait you can cut your time down exponentially, and increase your profits exponentially.
As with most things, it comes down to money...
2007-02-09 01:48:06 · answer #3 · answered by floundering penguins 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The benefits in the long run would benefit not only humans but species that may otherwise go extinct.
The benefit would also be in the area of medicine and genetic modification.
One of the main topics of research is genetically modifying animals that produce beneficial proteins/compounds naturally.
2007-02-09 03:03:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the possible profit for example in medicine is much greater than the cost. And people can't resist to play Gods.
2007-02-09 01:18:30 · answer #5 · answered by zuska m 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The cost of *not* cloning is greater.
2007-02-09 01:12:22 · answer #6 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The cost is not great
2007-02-09 01:11:03 · answer #7 · answered by Jet 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For experimental reasons!
2007-02-09 01:16:16 · answer #8 · answered by filip 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to see if, someday, they can clone humans too. in that case it will be priceless!!!
2007-02-09 01:14:12 · answer #9 · answered by rajeswar m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋