Cloning is the production of one or more individual plants or animals (in whole or in part) that are genetically identical to an original plant or animal.

It will surprise at least a few people to discover cloning is not new. In fact it was practiced when I was a boy. In our garden. A portion of each potato harvest was set aside. This portion was not eaten but allowed to develop shoots. In the spring my father would cut up these potatoes, one shoot per piece, and plant them in the garden. And since each of the new plants had the same genetic makeup as the piece from which it grew, he unknowingly practiced cloning.

Similar instances of cloning are available. Strawberries and raspberries also reproduce from runners which are actually clones of the parent plant. The resulting plants will always bear fruit with the same color and taste.

We also see cloning among animals. Aphids can reproduce both sexually and by cloning. In spring the first aphid generation hatches from fertilized eggs. Later, the aphid lays eggs that start to divide without being fertilized. They are clones of the mother. Certain bees, ants, crustaceans, and lizards also reproduce by cloning.

Human beings are also sometimes naturally clones. Identical twins are clones. One fertilized egg splits in two-each sharing the same genetic material. These two people will have the same features once born, hence our description of them as identical twins.

These natural forms of cloning are hardly noticed in the discussion about the ethical permissibility. No one is inclined to say these naturally occurring forms of cloning are troublesome. Problems arise when other factors are introduced.

Can we say "Artificial"?

Consider the following possible benefits of cloning.

First, the best traits in certain plants and animals can be perpetuated. For example, Polly, a cloned sheep, is able to produce milk containing factor IX-the protein that is deficient in hemophiliacs.

Second, clones could be important for research. Genetically identical laboratory animals could be used as models for human disease. Having an identical animal to experiment with is nearly always advantageous.

Third, the most advantageous form of cloning includes genetic manipulation of plants and animals to produce stock that is resistant to disease while maintaining desirable qualities. Further, the introduction of genes from other plants and animals produce what appear to be some very favorable results. For example, if the gene which causes the production of poison in a scorpion is introduced into a cabbage, what results is a cabbage plant which is resistant to caterpillar damage. Or certain human genes may be introduced into sheep so that they secrete alpha-1 antitrypsin in their milk-a useful substance in treating some cases of human lung disease.

Fourth, it is believed that great possibilities exist for the treatment of diseases-particularly in humans. For example, cells could be harvested from early cloned embryos to provide cell and tissue replacement for the one who is cloned without the hazards of transplantation rejection.

To varying degrees all of these forms of cloning include ‘artificial' involvement. And so there is the concern that, in at least some cases, humans have begun to put themselves in the place of God-so changing the basic makeup of life forms that we have become the ‘creators' rather than the creatures.

Two Important Distinctions

So, what are we to say as Christians about cloning? The most uncomplicated answer seems to be to dismiss the practice entirely. But if we do, on what grounds? And what ethically separates cloning and genetic engineering from common practices such as selective breeding?

The Bible provides us with two important distinctions that provide us with some help.

The first distinction the Bible gives us is that between God and the rest of creation. Genesis 1-2 make it abundantly clear that God existed before the universe came into existence and such existence is the product of God's creative power. Realize that it is impossible for anyone to create as God has. God simply spoke, and all that is resulted from nothing. What is involved in cloning is the manipulation of what already exists.

Further, God has given to humanity the task to "fill the earth and subdue it . . .have dominion over [it]." (Gen. 1:26) Cloning and genetic engineering may be taken as an extension of that God-given task. Particularly when there is a benefit to mankind, such as crops that produce more and are more resistant to disease, this would seem in keeping with God's command. When humans breed wheat that can be cultivated in cold areas, or use artificial selection to get cows yielding more milk, we are also "manipulating nature." But, of course, few would (or should) oppose such intervention. It appears that God's instruction to humans to subdue the earth (Gen. 1:28) also allows for some types of cloning.

The second important distinction we should remember is that which exists between humans and the rest of creation. The Bible is clear in teaching that God created humans in a particular way (Gen. 1:26-27). Humans were created separately, in God's image, unlike the animal kingdom (Gen. 1:27). Our existence extends beyond physical death (Luke 16:19-31, Philippians 1:23). This is nowhere indicated for animals. God allowed humans to kill animals (Gen. 9:2-3). Concerning other humans, He gave the commandment: "You shalt not murder." (Ex. 20:13)

Additionally, humans are meant to have fathers and mothers-to be the offspring of a marriage relationship-the family ordained by God. While unfortunate circumstances in a fallen world mean that sometimes children have to be raised by only one parent, a clone could never have two parents. Thus the artificial cloning of a complete human being, because it deliberately sets out to cause such a situation, is opposed to biblical principles.

There are further reasons for rejecting the artificial cloning of humans. Each fertilized egg, including those from cloning, is a new human individual. Yet perfecting the cloning technique requires many experiments. Many individuals would begin life only to be deliberately destroyed.

Thus, while it may be right to clone animals to benefit people, it is contrary to God's Word to clone human beings.

AFor we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."-Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV

"Been there, done that." This popular maxim has been used to convey the idea that the speaker of this adage has experienced something to its fullest. When two people are talking and one quotes this expression, he is conveying to the other that he is fully aware of all that the other one is saying. There is nothing more that can be related that is not already known.

Often in the course of human interaction we find that there are certain events that only others who have experienced the same thing can truly understand. Because of this we see all sorts of "support groups." There are support groups for those with diabetes or weight problems, support groups for those who have battled cancer or lost a loved one. Because of the common experience, all those in the group have a certain sympathy toward the others in the group. A person in one of these support groups believes that the others in the group really understand the situation because they have also experienced the same thing. The reason these support groups are helpful is because they provide a certain level of encouragement and comfort which comes from a genuine sympathy to those who are weary or are struggling with a shared experience.

This is one facet of the incarnation that I believe is somewhat overlooked. We shall soon be celebrating Christmas, the time when we stop and give thanks for Christ's birth. There are many different and important aspects that could be brought out about Christ's incarnation. For example, as the Heidelberg Catechism teaches us in questions 14 through 17, if we are going to be saved from our sins, we must have a substitute who will take the punishment for our sins who is both God and Man. The incarnation provides for that. The Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity, by the operation of the Holy Spirit, was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary. Because Jesus has taken on a human nature he can be a legitimate substitute for human beings. It would not be possible for an angel or a sheep to adequately take on the sins of a human because that would not be just or fair. A man must pay for the sins of a man. At the same time, no mere creature could fully bear the brunt of God's holy wrath against sin. So any substitute that would come in our stead must be both God and man.

But let us focus on another aspect of the incarnation: that facet is sympathy. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, Christ our High Priest can truly sympathize with us because he has "been there and done that." Since Christ Jesus took upon himself a human nature and human flesh, he has experienced life in this fallen world. What sorts of things did he experience?

Well, for one thing, we know that the Lord Jesus was tempted, yet without sin. The story of the temptation of the Lord, as recorded for us in Matthew 4, tells us that after his baptism, the Lord Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness where he fasted for forty days and was subsequently tempted by Satan. It is common to point out that the three temptations leveled against the Lord are parallel to the temptations that Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden of Eden. The Apostle John summarized these temptations in 1 John 2:16 as "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." But, possibly, there was another temptation underlying each of the three that the Lord Jesus experienced. At the Lord's baptism a voice from heaven sounded and proclaimed, "This is my beloved Son." Then the Lord was driven into the wilderness to be tempted. The first two temptations Satan hurls at the Lord begin with the question, "If you are the Son of God." The third temptation has Satan quoting Psalm 91 and tempting Jesus to put the promises contained in that passage to the test. In other words, in each of the temptations, Satan is tempting Jesus to doubt the Word of God. In the first two, he tempts Jesus to question what he had heard from heaven: that he was the Son of God. The third temptation was to get Jesus to prove the written word with a foolish test of jumping off the pinnacle of the temple. In each of the temptations Satan tempted Jesus to question or to doubt the Word of God. Here's where an application comes in. Satan wants to tempt us in the same way. A main battle plan of the Devil is to get people to deny the Word of God. Is Jesus really the Son of God? Was he really born of a virgin? Was he really raised from the dead? These are the doubts Satan would tempt us with. But as our great Mentor has shown us, we combat the Devil with the Word. In each of the temptations the Lord Jesus retorted, "It is written." When Satan casts doubt upon the Word we realize that the Word has power and can defend itself. How else does one explain the intricate details of the messianic prophecies which paint a vivid picture of the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:25-27)? How else does one explain the whole system of theology laid out in the various covenants, one building upon another in perfect harmony (The Book of Galatians)? The Word of God is called a "sharp, two-edged sword." A sword is an amazing weapon when you think about it. It is both defensive and offensive. With a sword you can block an oncoming blow from an enemy or you can plunge it through your opponent's chest. Don't be afraid to rely on the Word in times of testing or to use it in combat in times of spiritual struggle. The Lord Jesus did and he was victorious over the Devil.

There are other ways the Lord Jesus experienced life as we do, that helps us to know that He can sympathize with us, and that we can learn from Him. The Bible tells us that He got hungry (Matthew 4:2). He knows what its like to feel weak from a lack of nutrition. Being the father of six children I know from first hand that when people get hungry, they can get grumpy. (My children may testify to the same fact about their father!) It is helpful to know that the Lord Jesus experienced this most basic of human needs. The Bible tells us that He got thirsty (John 19:28). There were times when his mouth was so dry that his tongue clung to the roof of his mouth (Psalm 22:15). It can be an agonizing experience to have a mouth so dry that your tongue sticks to the roof of your mouth, but according to the Bible, the Lord Jesus can testify to that experience. There were times when He was tired and sleepy during long trips (Matthew 8:24). I serve a congregation in South Dakota. My family is in Oklahoma and my wife's family is in Colorado. At Christmas time we make "The Big Triangle" to see both sets of grandparents. 700 miles from Mitchell, SD to Tulsa, OK then 650 miles from Tulsa to Flagler, CO then 600 miles from Flagler back to Mitchell. That's a lot of miles on the road. That makes for a long trip. There is almost nothing worse than driving across Kansas with very heavy eyelids. If you don't know about it, I know that the Lord Jesus does because He has been sleepy and tired on long trips, too. There were times He was angry (John 2:14-16). When the Lord turned the tables of the money changers over in the temple, the Bible tells us that He chased them out with a whip. (I would say that's being on the wrong side of the Lord!) It is important to point out that this was a righteous, sinless anger. He was angry because people weren't doing right. Ever been that way? There were times when He was moved with compassion (Matthew 9:36) and He wept at the tomb of a close friend (John 11:35). Jesus got emotional when He saw people suffering and He cried at funerals.

There are other experiences that are not recorded for us in the Bible but might be legitimately assumed. For example, we know that He was a carpenter (Mark 6:3). Could we imagine that in His carpentry shop He might have picked up a splinter, or gotten saw dust in His eye? (Matthew 7:3-5?) Possibly He got blisters on His hands from working with tools on rough wood.

What about family relationships? We don't know what happened to Mary's husband, Joseph. Tradition has it that he died. If so, Jesus would have mourned the death of a man who was a father to Him. Have you ever lost a parent? Contrary to Roman Catholic tradition, the Bible teaches that Mary had at least six other children (Matthew 13:55-56). In that culture, the responsibility for tending to the needs of a family would have fallen on the eldest son after the death of the father. Could we imagine that Jesus experienced having the responsibility of being the head of a household? Ever felt that, husbands and fathers? Again, a lot of this is mere speculation and should only be regarded as such. But at the same time, it should give us something to ponder anew when we consider that we have a High Priest who can "sympathize with our weaknesses" and "was in all points tempted as we are" (Hebrews 4:15). Think of the practical implications of the incarnation: God Almighty knows what it is like to be human!

This Christmas as we read the birth narrative in Luke's gospel, take some time to ponder phrases such as, "And she brought forth her firstborn Son." They "wrapped Him in swaddling clothes." They "laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Let each of those phrases sink in- really sink in- one by one. Then, consider who this was! God Almighty in human flesh. Understand that the Lord Jesus understands. God understands! He is aware of all of your trials and temptations. He knows what it's like to walk the earth's dusty streets in a fallen world. He knows what it's like to be misunderstood, mistreated and the victim of a miscarriage of justice. And when you understand that, know for certain that the awesome God who did all of this is deserving of your unending praise. But also know that such a one knows what you are going through. So go to Him. As the writer of the book of Hebrews so eloquently says, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."