The debate over animal cloning presents compelling arguments on both sides, but ultimately, the potential benefits outweigh the ethical concerns. In "The Dangerous Side of Cloning Animals," Phillip Jones highlights the risks associated with cloning, such as health abnormalities and the high failure rates in cloned animals. However, Samuel Viler's "Lower the Greenhouse Effect: Clone Mammoths" argues for the ecological benefits of cloning, such as reviving extinct species to restore ecosystems and combat climate change. Cloning, if conducted responsibly, could not only enhance biodiversity but also play a crucial role in environmental restoration.
While concerns about animal welfare and the moral implications of cloning are valid, these issues can be addressed through rigorous ethical standards and regulations. Jones raises significant points about the health risks that cloned animals may face, yet Viler demonstrates that targeted cloning efforts, like those aimed at resurrecting mammoths, could provide ecological benefits that far enhance our planet’s sustainability. This suggests that cloning, when used for specific and purposeful goals, can lead to advancements that promote both biodiversity and environmental health, making a strong case for its cautious adoption.