[Janette]

What do you think about the controversial subject of human cloning?

In my opinion, it's a very dangerous thing. I can understand why parents would want to have a healthy baby but this is going about it the wrong way.

Don't forget, Dolly the sheep suffered from arthritis!

[Mairi]

I've voted that I "think it's a bad idea", Janette.

I disapprove on ethical grounds and am so glad that Britain, along with other countries, has banned it.

[Romantic Old Bird]

I haven't decided exactly where to put my x.

Not that I approve - it's scary and extremely uncomfortable stuff.

The thing is, it WILL happen. Whether or not we approve, legislate, allow, it still will.

I am even uncomfortable with the Diane Blood case. Turned down here, she went elswhere. The man had no part in the decision to become a father, and whilst it must be wonderful for his parents to have grandchildren, his widow would be far better moving on with her life. How will these little people be answered when they ask how babies are made?

Another uncomfortable one is the recent case of a couple who want to 'genetically select' an embryo who will develop into a baby with an exact tissue match for their existing child. Spare parts on order.

I know it is contentious, and if I had a dying, desperate child I would probably go to any lengths to save them.

That is why we need people making decisions on the rules relating to human fertilisation and embryology who neither emotionally embroiled by personal tragedy, or set to make a lot of money.

Better to control by keeping the subject in the public debate, than to dismiss entirely and drive the process underground.

As I said, whether now or in 1 or 5 years, it WILL happen. Someone will have the financial means, and someone will be unscrupulous enough to do it for them.

[Graeme]

I put that I think it's a bad idea.

After all, if everyone was the same then there would be no com[petition in sports and we wouldn't recognise anyone.

I don't know really, is it a good idea or not?

[James]

I've got to be honest and say that I'm not sure what the fuss is all about with regards to cloning humans.

It is not as if an army of clones is going to be created that think and act exactly the same way.

Two clones would not be exactly alike for the same reason that identical twins don't have identical personalities: they have differing life experiences.

So I clicked on 'don't know'.

[Janette]

The main thing that worries me is the possible side effects cloning could cause.

We already know that there have been medical problems with cloned animals. Dolly got infantile arthritis, that is a very debilitating and painful disease.

Surely tests haven't been done in such a significant way that we could say this won't happen to human clones?

This poor baby born on Boxing Day could be faced with a life of pain. We don't know enough yet!

[steve_o]

It's a tricky subject this one, but interesting. As for cloning I dont know, if it helped find a cure for cancer then I'd be all for it. The interesting thing to come out of this is this group reckon we where made from space aliens, in their image. I suppose it's another way of looking at it, instead of from a religious point of view. If we could cure all disease and feed the planet then I'm all for it, trouble is it's looking like it's not working well for dolly maybe they should just stick to making sheep for now, and iron out the problems, other wise we might have another Ray Batty on our hands. Blade Runner fans will know what I'm on about.