As in all issues of human progress this too is a double-edged sword. The major points:

1. There do not appear to be any substantial arguments to forbid cloning from a Halachic perspective.

2. There is good reason to proceed cautiously in any matter this radical, principally due to unknown factors and the possibility of abuse. Dr. Rabbi Moshe Tendler states that we are too close to the specter of Nazi 'medicine' to be assured that human beings will be responsible in this regard. Dr. Velvl Greene, an observant Jew who was initially involved in the Genome Project, states that he left the project after hearing the director's comments concerning the project's possible benefits. The director suggested that a newly born fetus not be named for the first four months, so that it could be terminated if its genetic material appeared deficient.

3. There are some very positive benefits to be seen from cloning. For example, a parent with leukemia may have a child who will be able to provide bone marrow to save his life at a later date.