Human cloning is a controversial topic that frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Based on past exam trends and the current relevance of this subject, it’s highly likely that you may encounter a question related to the Ethical Concerns Of Human Cloning in your IELTS test. Let’s explore this topic through a detailed analysis and sample essays for different band scores.
Analyzing the Question
Some people think that human cloning should be allowed and developed, while others are against it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question presents a balanced argument task. It requires you to:
- Discuss arguments in favor of human cloning
- Discuss arguments against human cloning
- Provide your personal opinion on the matter
Remember to address all parts of the question and maintain a clear structure throughout your essay.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Human cloning, a topic that has long fascinated scientists and ethicists alike, continues to spark heated debates worldwide. While some advocate for its development, citing potential medical breakthroughs, others vehemently oppose it on ethical grounds. This essay will examine both perspectives before offering my personal stance on this contentious issue.
Proponents of human cloning argue that it could revolutionize medical science. They contend that cloning technology could provide a solution to organ shortages, allowing scientists to grow replacement organs that are genetically identical to the patient, thus eliminating the risk of rejection. Furthermore, cloning could potentially help infertile couples have genetically related children, offering hope to those who struggle with fertility issues. Advocates also highlight the potential for cloning to advance our understanding of human biology and disease, potentially leading to groundbreaking treatments for various genetic disorders.
On the other hand, opponents raise significant ethical concerns about human cloning. They argue that it violates the sanctity of human life and reduces humans to mere commodities. There are fears that cloning could lead to a “designer baby” culture, where parents select specific traits for their children, potentially exacerbating social inequalities. Critics also point out the potential psychological impact on cloned individuals, who may struggle with identity issues and the burden of living up to their genetic “original.” Moreover, there are concerns about the safety and potential health risks associated with cloning technology, as evidenced by high failure rates and abnormalities in animal cloning experiments.
In my opinion, while the potential benefits of human cloning are intriguing, the ethical risks and unknown consequences outweigh these potential advantages at present. I believe that the development of human cloning technology should be approached with extreme caution and subjected to rigorous ethical scrutiny. Instead of pursuing human cloning, I suggest that resources be directed towards alternative medical research that doesn’t raise such profound ethical dilemmas, such as stem cell research or gene therapy. These fields offer promising avenues for medical advancement without crossing the ethical line of creating genetically identical human beings.
In conclusion, the debate surrounding human cloning is complex and multifaceted. While it offers potential medical benefits, the ethical concerns and unknown risks associated with this technology are significant. As we continue to advance scientifically, it is crucial that we carefully consider the moral implications of our discoveries and prioritize the wellbeing and dignity of all human beings.
(Word count: 395)
Human Cloning Debate
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates several key features that contribute to its high band score:
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Clear structure: The essay follows a logical structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs discussing both views, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points and offers a personal opinion.
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Coherence and cohesion: Ideas flow smoothly from one paragraph to the next, with appropriate use of linking words and phrases.
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Lexical resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately, including topic-specific terms like “genetic disorders,” “sanctity of human life,” and “designer baby culture.”
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Grammatical range and accuracy: The essay demonstrates a variety of complex sentence structures with minimal errors.
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Task response: All parts of the question are fully addressed, with a clear position given in the conclusion.
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Critical thinking: The essay shows deep analysis of the issue, considering multiple aspects and implications of human cloning.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Human cloning is a controversial topic that many people have different opinions about. Some think it should be allowed and developed, while others are against it. This essay will discuss both views and give my own opinion.
People who support human cloning say it could have many benefits. One main advantage is that it could help solve the problem of organ shortages. If we can clone organs, people who need transplants won’t have to wait for donors. Also, cloning could help couples who can’t have children naturally. Scientists could use cloning to help them have their own genetic children. Some people also think cloning could help us learn more about human biology and diseases.
However, there are also strong arguments against human cloning. Many people think it’s not ethical because it goes against nature and religious beliefs. They worry that cloning humans would be like playing God. There are also concerns about the safety of cloning. Even in animal cloning, there have been many failures and health problems. People worry that cloned humans might have serious health issues too. Another problem is that cloning might be used to create “designer babies,” where parents choose specific traits for their children. This could create unfair advantages in society.
In my opinion, I think the risks and ethical problems of human cloning are too big to ignore. While there might be some benefits, I believe we should focus on other areas of medical research that don’t cause so many ethical issues. For example, we could put more effort into developing artificial organs or improving existing organ transplant methods. These options could help solve medical problems without the ethical concerns of human cloning.
To conclude, human cloning is a complex issue with both potential benefits and serious ethical concerns. While it might offer some medical advantages, I believe the ethical risks are too high. We should be very careful about developing this technology and consider other ways to advance medical science that don’t raise such difficult moral questions.
(Word count: 340)
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates several features that place it in the Band 6-7 range:
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Task response: The essay addresses all parts of the question, discussing both views and providing a personal opinion. However, the ideas could be developed more fully.
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Coherence and cohesion: The essay has a clear structure and uses some cohesive devices, but the linking between and within paragraphs could be more sophisticated.
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Lexical resource: There is a sufficient range of vocabulary, with some attempt at using less common words. However, there’s room for more precise and varied vocabulary use.
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Grammatical range and accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control, though there are some minor errors.
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Critical thinking: The essay shows some analysis of the issue, but the ideas could be explored in more depth.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Cloning (noun) – /ˈkləʊnɪŋ/ – The process of creating an exact copy of a living thing
- Ethical (adjective) – /ˈeθɪkəl/ – Relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these
- Sanctity (noun) – /ˈsæŋktəti/ – The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly
- Commodity (noun) – /kəˈmɒdəti/ – A raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold
- Exacerbate (verb) – /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ – Make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse
- Scrutiny (noun) – /ˈskruːtəni/ – Critical observation or examination
- Multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd/ – Having many facets or aspects
- Contentious (adjective) – /kənˈtenʃəs/ – Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial
- Rigorous (adjective) – /ˈrɪɡərəs/ – Extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate
- Dignity (noun) – /ˈdɪɡnəti/ – The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect
Conclusion
The ethical concerns of human cloning remain a relevant and challenging topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding the different perspectives and practicing your essay writing skills, you can be well-prepared to tackle this subject in your exam. Remember to always address all parts of the question, use a clear structure, and showcase your vocabulary and grammar skills.
For further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The ethical implications of genetic engineering
- The role of technology in modern medicine
- The balance between scientific progress and ethical considerations
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on the topic provided in this article. Share your essay in the comments section below for feedback and discussion with other learners. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your IELTS Writing skills and gain confidence in addressing complex topics like the ethical concerns of human cloning.