Viewpoint: A skeptical view of the still far-fetched idea of human cloning

At least 25 species have now been cloned, and variants on the technology are still being developed: The recent “de-extinction” of “dire wolves” involved cloning regular wolves with a couple of genetic adjustments. In the mid-2000s, a start-up dubbed Genetic Savings & Clone tried to sell cloned cats and dogs but failed to turn the technology into a viable business. 

But what about cloning people? 

Enter Hwang Woo-Suk, a South Korean veterinarian and researcher with grand ambitions. Hwang’s first major success was cloning cattle. He then claimed to have created cloned human embryonic stem cells, which at the time was considered a hugely significant scientific breakthrough. … But it soon emerged that Hwang had faked the evidence. He had also abused his staff, coercing young women on his research team into providing the hundreds of eggs he used in his cloning experiments, and embezzled large sums of research funds. A major world-wide scandal ensued. 

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After his fall from grace, Hwang returned to work with animals. Dog cloning offered him a living.

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