What about genetic engineering and cloning?

Genetic engineering in humans. (By Sophie & Natalie)

Genetic engineering is ‘the deliberate modification of the characters of an organism by the multiplication of the genetic material’. It can also be connected with medical issues which are when they use techniques of gene development and manipulation to find cures or prevention for diseases and disabilities in humans. Genetic diseases affect large numbers of people. Scientists are involved in genetic research into: cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, sickle-cell anaemia, Tay-Sachs disease and Huntington’s chorea. Most genetic research has been based on:
*Germline gene therapy, which enables genetic changes to be made to those cells that transmit information from one generation to the next, enabling permanent changes to be made.
* Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) which removes defective genes from embryos so that women at risk of producing babies with diseases such as cystic fibrosis produces healthy babies.

More recently cloning has been used to grow healthy cells to replace the dead/horrible cells to cure the disease. This involves creating stem cells either from embryos produced for IVF but not used or by using bone marrow from adults or by using blood. These stem cells are then cultivated so that they can multiply and then they will be used to produce a cure. Legislation permitting stem call research in the United Kingdom was passed by Parliament in February 2001. However it is illegal in the USA.

Most recent case to hit the headlines: http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/65207.html

What do you think? Good idea or not?