2004. Ian Wilmut applies for a license to clone human cells to study motor neuron disease. Wilmut is best known for his role in creating Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal. Cloning has traditionally been associated with eugenic theories, particularly towards genetic discrimination (Boloz, 2001). Wilmut has repeatedly condemned the possibility of reproductive cloning in humans (to create babies) but was granted the license so that he might harvest stem cells from a clone of a patient who needed them. This type of cloning is considerd “therapeutic cloning” because it does not result in the birth of an infant. Embryos created for these purposes are not allowed to grow past 14 days.

-Leslie Baker, Amy Dyrbye, and Colette Leung

• Ross, E. (2005). Dolly scientist gets human cloning license. Science and Space. Retrieved from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/genetics/2005-02-08-human-cloning_x.htm.

• Boloz, W. (2001). Eugenics and human cloning [Article in Polish]. Med Wieku Rozwoy, 5(1), 53-62.