[cpforlife.org]

MHGinTN my friend,

At a recent pro-life meeting a medical expert was speaking of cloning. As I understood him, he said that we are each quite different genetically now than we were at conception, 1-year old, 10 years ago, etc. He went on to explain technical problems because of this. I am out of my element in this field, but want to learn. Could you shed some light on this?

He did also say that human cloning (not parts--but of persons) is always wrong, just as abortion is always wrong; because God (and only God) Is the true Author and Lord of Life. When we try to be God, BIG problems always happen. And with this I whole-heartedly and enthusiastically agree!

[MHGinTN]

As I understood him, he said that we are each quite different genetically now than we were at conception ... Perhaps your friend was referring to the 'genetic clock', the telomeres, one of which is lost with every cell division. Each newly constructed cell that makes up the tissues of the human organism (the form and function age beyond the totipotent and pluripotent ages) loses a link in the telomere chain when the genetic material within the cell duplicates before dividing.

When Dolly was conceived, the chromosomal data inserted into the denucleated ovum was 'aged', had used many of the telomeres leaving less for a full lifetime than if the sheep had been conceived from original male and female gametes.

Also, within the cell are mitochondrial grains which contain genetic material unique to the female's ancestry but not the 'drivers' of growth and development for the ages the conceptus goes through. The uneven timeline is the problematic issue with cloning at present, though an enzyme, Telemerase, which re-starts the clock of telomeres has been discovered. Until ALL problems are solved with higher non-human mammals, no human reproductive cloning should be legal, for starters.

I hope that helps. There is a bit more detail in the essay posted on my profile age, if anyone is interested.