The Christian Perspective on Cloning
by Dr. Lindsay Wilson, minister of Castlederg Free Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Wilson is a qualified practitioner for ten years with a diploma in
Obstetrics and Gynaechology. He has had five years of experience in Craigavon
and Stranraer hospitals.
An article first published in the Burning
Bush
 |
The word cloning conjures up a lot of emotion. To the
moral and upright person the very thought of replicating copies of the
same individual is both distasteful and wrong. However the feelings or
notions that something is wrong are insufficient grounds for opposition.
The Scriptures must always be the basis on which we decide the legitimacy
of any practice. Many people look at a modern concept like cloning and immediately think the Bible will have nothing to say about it — a book completed nearly 2000yrs ago. They fail to recognise that it is the living Word of the living God, and therefore as up to date today as when it was written. |
What is Cloning?
The human body is made up of microscopic building units called cells. Each of
these cells has a control centre known as the nucleus. It contains information
for the maintenance and functioning of the cell. Although there are many
different types of cells the nucleus of each cell is identical and contains the
information capable of running any cell in the body. In simple terms cloning
involves removing the nucleus of a fertilised human egg and replacing it with a
nucleus taken from a cell of the person to be cloned. This egg is then allowed
to grow for some days in the laboratory before being implanted into the womb of
a mother.
The Genetic code.
The nucleus of a cell consists of long chains of genes called chromosomes. These
genes hold the code for every part and characteristic of our body. Things like
skin pigment and eye colour, together with all the control mechanisms for the
functioning of the body, are all coded for, in the nucleus of every cell in the
body. In normal conception half of the genes to make up that first cell of a new
individual are contributed by the mother and the other half by the father. The
blending process of the genes is so elaborate that no two children of the same
parents will have the same combination of genes. Thus each person has a set of
genes which are unique, — at conception two totally unique sets of genes are
blended to produce another totally unique individual.
What the Bible says.
Psalm 139 is the key passage giving divine direction on the matters of
conception and development. In verse 14, David stands back in amazement and
exclaims we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Verses 15 and 16 give us an
insight into the superintendence of the Lord in conception and early
development. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and
curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my
substance, yet being imperfect; and in thy book all my members were written,
which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. The
word substance in verse 15 can also be translated bones or body. Therefore we
can read the verse, my body was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret and
curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Although concealed from
human view, in the womb, the body of the developing child was in full view of
the eye of providence. Moving on to verse 16, we find the word translated
substance is different. The word in the original can be rendered embryo or
fetus. So the fetus (or developing child) was under the eye of God, and going on
we read that the blueprint for this development was written in the book of God.
David elaborates on the entry in this book. Which in continuance were fashioned
(or what days the members or parts should develop) — and what is more, when as
yet there was none of them. The plan for every day of development was written in
God’s book even before any organ or member began to develop.
So how does this relate to cloning? At conception, the nucleus of that first
cell of that new individual, contains all the information necessary for
development. Within the nucleus is the blueprint for the formation of all the
members of the body, and also the exact time at which they should be formed.
From verse 16 we have seen that the blueprint for development is in the book of
God. At conception, the Almighty has designed the way to produce a new
individual by a unique blending of the characteristics of a man and woman within
a marriage. In cloning we have already seen that the nucleus, with the
information corresponding to the entry in the book of God, is removed, discarded
and replaced with another. In essence the divine blueprint within that first
cell is destroyed. The scientist is usurping the role of the Almighty, altering
the plan already prescribed in the book of God.
Other issues.
There are other issues like IVF, embryo freezing, egg donation and surrogacy
which are linked to cloning. They, equally, deserve proper and accurate
evaluation in the light of Scripture, but are the beyond the scope of this
article.
The issue of the soul is another consideration. At conception the new individual
is endowed by God with a soul. Subsequent tampering with the genetic code will
not alter this fact. Just because two individuals share the same genetic code
does not mean they share the same soul. If produced, a clone of an individual
will not be that person, but simply another soul who happens to have the same
genetic make-up.
The Benefits?
Science will argue the potential benefits of cloning. Spare-part surgery, like
heart and kidney transplantation, is greatly hampered by the problem of
rejection of the new organ because it is not genetically identical to the
recipient. If however embryos with the identical genetic make up of the sick
person could be produced by cloning, the possibility of perfect spare-parts
would become a reality. This is, at present, much closer than many would like to
admit. It would also involve the destruction of the embryos produced, in order
to harvest the required organ. While there is great potential here for treating
those with serious disease, the price is too great, and contravenes the law of
God. The end can never justify the means.
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