gregorypenceoncloning
Gregory Pence on Cloning
Argument Worksheet on “Will Cloning Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Harm People?”
By Gregory Pence
(1) What is SCNT? (p. 115)
(2) What are the possible benefits of SCNT?
Below are some arguments against SCNT; additional premises need to be added to make them valid; are these valid arguments sound arguments?
Parallels with In Vitro Fertilization: Repeating History
1. If a method of producing children is morally permissible then it yields only healthy children.
2. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible.
3. If a method of producing children is morally permissible then it the children consent to it.
4. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible.
5. If a method of producing children is morally permissible then it is risk-free.
6. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible.
7. If a method of producing children is morally permissible then it always results in “normal” children.
8. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible.
9. If a method of producing children is morally permissible then it results in no harms to children.
10. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible.
Psychological Harm to the Child
11. Parents who would use SCNT have bad motives in creating a child.
12. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible
13. Being produced by SCNT is harmful for a child produced by SCNT.
14. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible.
15. People will be prejudiced against SCNT children.
16. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible
17. “People would not want to be produced by SCNT.”
18. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible
19. SCNT is “repugnant” and “a horror.”
20. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible.
21. Children produced by SCNT will have “troubled psychic identities,” be confused about their lives.
22. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible
23. SCNT-produced children are like children produced by incest.
24. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is wrong, i.e., morally impermissible