Human Cloning: Stereotypes, Public Policy, and the Law, in Handbook on Philosophy and Public Policy, Palgrave Macmillan (David Boonin ed.)

Human Cloning: Stereotypes, Public Policy, and the Law, in Handbook on Philosophy and Public Policy, Palgrave Macmillan (David Boonin ed.), 2018

Posted: 4 Dec 2018

See all articles by Kerry L. Macintosh

Kerry L. Macintosh

Santa Clara University - School of Law

Date Written: November 7, 2018

Abstract

Dolly the sheep was born twenty years ago. Since then, animals of many species have been cloned. These clones often do not look or act like their DNA donors. Thus, if human cloning is ever perfected, it will not create human copies. However, it may help some couples have genetic offspring in the only way possible for them.

Cloning bans will not stop human cloning. They will only drive would-be parents to nations or states with more tolerant laws. When these wanderers return home pregnant or with babies in their arms, they may be prosecuted, imprisoned, and fined. But even if they are not, the bans will stigmatize their children as copies who are unworthy to exist. Foreigners born through cloning who travel to the United States will bear a similar stigma. Thus, cloning bans will erode egalitarianism and harm society. In light of these costs, policymakers should reject bans in favor of education about cloning. Once the public realizes that human clones are just as unique and human as everyone else, pressure to ban cloning should recede.

Keywords: human cloning, human reproduction, infertility, law, stigma, animal cloning

Suggested Citation

Macintosh, Kerry L., Human Cloning: Stereotypes, Public Policy, and the Law, in Handbook on Philosophy and Public Policy, Palgrave Macmillan (David Boonin ed.) (November 7, 2018). Human Cloning: Stereotypes, Public Policy, and the Law, in Handbook on Philosophy and Public Policy, Palgrave Macmillan (David Boonin ed.), 2018, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3280416

Kerry L. Macintosh (Contact Author)

Santa Clara University - School of Law ( email )

500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
United States

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