Cloning: The Ethical Dilemma After the successful cloning of a lamb to produce Dolly, a twin genetically identical to its mother, a controversy has arisen over the frightening prospects of cloning technology. While it is undeniable that the ability to clone livestock and even humans represents a step forward in medical progress, such technology must be used with careful ethical considerations. There are many obvious benefits of cloning technology that come to mind with the successful cloning of Dolly. The most immediate concern will be the ability to clone a variety of animal species for food, research and medical use. For example, farmers can now choose to raise only high-quality, genetically cloned animals. Another possibility could be the mass cloning of animals with genetic defects that mimic human diseases. This will facilitate large-scale scientific research into such diseases. Cloning also increases the possibility of producing transgenic animals, which can help alleviate the human organ shortage by providing organs for transplants. There are still many other opportunities arising from cloning that cannot be discussed here due to the brevity of this essay. Judging by the many benefits of cloning, should we therefore jump into this new technology without further hesitation? There are ethical issues that need to be carefully considered. For example, is it right to use human agriculture to provide organs suitable for transplants? Aren't we violating the rights of these human clones? Or do we not even consider them to be in the same class as us? How about the possibility of having designer babies? Wouldn't it be perfect if we were able to select children in the same way we buy groceries, selecting those without inherent defects? What about those who can't afford to have their babies made to order? Will their children be subjected to discrimination simply because they are less than perfect? In addition to just the ethical issues, there are also medical issues to consider. Cloning technology is still in its infancy, and the long-term effects of cloning are still unpredictable. Should we then proceed with mass cloning when we are still in the dark about its future consequences? It is necessary to see cloning research in the right perspective. Like any other medical research, it can be a double-edged sword if used in the wrong way.