The offspring is not born as an adult. His argument and that of many scientists and nonscientists alike is that the possibility of cloning humans came as such a surprise that there has been little time to consider its implications and that a moratorium ought to be declared to explore the subject more fully but that there ought not to be a permanent prohibition. Scientists do, however, regard nuclear transfer of human genetic materials to animal as important technique to preserve. It already has been used in the breeding of livestock and the development of transgenic animals for the production of human protein and other genetic material implanted in them, for example, the milk of livestock animals can be modified to produce large amounts of insulin. Experiments also have been conducted to transfer human genetic materials to animals, primarily pigs, to develop organs transplantable in humans.
Religious leaders hold a wide variety of views on the subject.
The Catholic Church has urged the prohibition of human cloning on the ground that it violates fundamental moral norms, such as human dignity. Other religious thinkers believe that the technology could have some legitimate uses but are concerned about safety and the danger of abuses. For some, fundamental religious beliefs and norms argue for total prohibition. Others hold that more reflection is needed to interpret and evaluate the prospect of human cloning in light of fundamental religious convictions. Among bioethicists, there are some, such as Leon Kass, who regard the cloning of humans as morally repugnant like, for example, incest.