Personal Reflective Writing- Cloning
Cloning refers to the creation of a genetic copy of a sequential DNA of the whole genome of an organism (Rachael, 2013). In the latter sense, cloning naturally occurs in the birth of identical twins and other multiples. However, cloning may be artificially done in the laboratory via embryo splitting or twinning where an early embryo is twinned in vitro in that when both parts get transferred to the uterus develop into genetically identical individual organisms to each other. According to the National Institute of Health, in artificial/reproductive cloning, scientists transfer the desired DNA into an egg of a similar species whose DNA have had been removed (Abby, 2017). The question is “If one was cloned, would his/her clone grow up to be exactly like them, a lot like them, somewhat like them, or not like them at all? This essay will answer the question based on an individual reflection position.
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If I were cloned, the other individual would be a biological copy of me in terms of physical appearance. In other words, the person would exactly be a similar to me just like the way identical twins look alike. In terms of behaviors, memories, attitude, and experiences, the cloned organism would not be exactly a copy of me. Biologically, we would be identical and the same, but unless I reproduce every individual experience and memory, we would be totally different people (Abby, 2017). The two of us would have different behavior and perceptions about life, meaning that our intelligence levels and attitudes to different issues would significantly be different.
Another important question is whether or not if cloned we will have similar or different personalities. Biology researchers have debated on this question over the last decade. From the articles I have studied, cloned animals do not have similar personalities. Although cloned animals are physically identical, they do not exactly behave in a similar way. The main reason why we cannot exemplify exactly similar personalities with cloned organisms is that cloning differs from what we see when watching the movies (Dana, 2015). A cloned individual does not share the same age as its original. As well, a clone does not possess similar memories to that of a real being; only DNA is similarly shared. Due to this, their thinking and personality traits greatly differ. Personal Reflective Writing- Cloning
Despite having a similar physical appearance, clones behave differently. As well, their personalities are complicated. From my life experience, the best evidence for this argument is based on identical twins that get separated at birth. They share some personality traits, but not all. For instance, one twin tends to worry a lot, but the other worries less although he or she is likely to be worrier too (Robert, 2008). The similar experience is evidenced in their levels of optimism, depression, their interaction and outgoing nature, and all types of human behavior. In this perspective, if cloned individuals personality were from experience, they would be completely different.
While a clone refers to a genetically identical copy of a person or an organism, inheritance is evidenced in cloning through certain traits such as skin color, height, hair, skin tone, allergies, and face. From a biological view, when twins are born they inherit certain similar traits from their parents (Rachael, 2013). The same aspect is manifest in cloned organisms. The modern genetic technology has been very vital in the creation of clones especially the gene clones. Gene clones inherit exact traits of the host cell i.e., the person. Also, in reproductive cloning, certain individual attributes have been inherited by the clones. For example, skin color, height, and hair color.
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There is also a question whether nature or nurture explains the personalities of cloned organisms. Luckily, there exists a form of natural human clone- and this is identical twins. Francis Galton, cousin to Charles Darwin suggested that the study of twins could provide proper evidence on the relative influence that nature and nurture have in human development (Abby, 2017). The scientist advocated for the improvement of mankind via forced selective and sterilization breeding. From his arguments, I believe that nature always outshines nurture tests over time in the discovery of genes and DNA as the surest mechanisms of inheritance.
Finally, it would be unrealistic to clone a person without considering certain environmental factors even before birth, since the clone would not get reproduced. For human clones, behavior and personality attributes will greatly get influenced by the way in which they get nurtured (Rachael, 2013). Another environmental variable relevant to this essay’s argument is the age of the donor. Another factor is the sex of the person getting cloned, if you clone a female, you will get a female clone, and vice versa. The other variable is the height and size of the donor; this has a great genetic-environmental impact to the clone. Personal Reflective Writing- Cloning
In conclusion, cloned individuals resemble the donor’s physical appearance, but their behavior and personalities greatly differ. Clones have different ages and mental power. Due to this, their behaviors, perceptions, and attitudes differ from those of the donor. Also, the nature of clones is defined in their identity and ability to resemble each other in terms of skin color, hair, body size, allergy, and height. With this in mind, it is important to understand that clones get exposed to different environmental situations. Thus, the manners in which clones get nurtured affect their behavior and attitudes. Also, the sex of the donor resembles the gender of the cloned person.
References
Abby, N. (2017, June 22). How Close Are We to Successfully Cloning the First Human? Retrieved from Futurism Web Site: https://futurism.com/how-close-are-we-to-successfully-cloning-the-first-human/
Dana, D. (2015). The Science Of Human Cloning: How Far We’ve Come And How Far We’re Capable Of Going. Medical Daily, 6-22.
Rachael, R. (2013). Could Humans Be Cloned? Live Science Journal, 1-16. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/32083-cloning-people-biology.html
Robert, M. (2008, August 10). Nurturing the nature of a clone: An American woman’s cloning of her deceased dog may be an indicator of the commercial viability of cloning. Retrieved from UAE Website: https://www.thenational.ae/uae/science/nurturing-the-nature-of-a-clone-1.545482
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