National Bioethics Advisory Commission

The National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC) was established by Bill Clinton in 1995 to provide advice and make recommendations on such bioethical issues as using human research subjects and what limits to place on genetic engineering. When Scottish scientists announced in February 1997 that they had cloned an adult sheep, Clinton directed the NBAC to prepare a report on the legal and ethical issues involved in cloning. In the following viewpoint excerpted from its report, the NBAC contends any possible benefits of cloning are outweighed by the risks involved. The NBAC maintains, however, that if human cloning does proceed, cloned people should be granted the same rights and moral status as any other human.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What are some of the risks involved in human somatic cell nuclear transfer cloning...