參考譯文

　　A Reasonable Approach to Human Cloning

　　The 21st century is a century of biotech revolution. Yet before human beings are able to fully enjoy the fruits of the biotech development, the issue of human cloning arising therefrom is already a problem that no one can evade. In recent years, some scientists and organizations have made public their intentions to clone human beings. Human cloning is increasingly a reality, rather than a distant fantasy.

　　According to some scientists, there are experiments on human cloning in most parts of the world. However, one must realize that human cloning may bring about complicated consequences. Therefore today, most countries, especially those with advanced biotechnology, explicitly ban or severely restrict human cloning. So far, 23 countries have regulations explicitly banning reproductive cloning. Some scientists, doctors and legal experts have even asked the United Nations to seek an advisory opinion from the World Court declaring human cloning to be a crime against humanity.

　　Nevertheless, few can reject the tremendous temptation of what therapeutic cloning can do in creating transplants and fighting diseases. Therefore, many countries are not so resolute and thorough in banning human embryo cloning. Besides, sufficient animal experiments may serve to remove the technological obstacles on the way to human cloning. So technologically speaking, it is quite pointless just to ban the research on human cloning while allowing the research on animal cloning.

　　It is possible for the cloning technology to bring both benefits and infinite disasters to mankind. Technophobia, in its essence, is not the fear of technology itself, but the fear of the people who use it in a wrong way. The history of human society evolution also tells us that in time of ethic crisis man should access reality with reason. Whether a technology accomplishment is ultimately beneficial to mankind lies in how man approaches and uses it. It is imperative for us to deal with the issue of human cloning with reason and from a serious and scientific approach. We should try to get to a common view through consultation and speed up legislation in this regard to put human cloning under strict regulations from the very beginning. The governments must give full consideration to the potential consequences before they decide whether or not to ban both the cloning of humans and therapeutic cloning. And if therapeutic cloning is allowed, they must consider how to regulate it.