New Jersey Section 2C:11A-1 – Cloning of human being, first degree crime; definition.

New Jersey Makes Human Cloning a First-Degree Crime – But What Does This Actually Mean?

New Jersey statute 2C:11A-1 makes cloning a human being a first-degree crime. This law has been on the books since 2003, but what does it really mean in practice? Let’s break it down in plain English so regular folks like us can understand the implications.

What Exactly is “Human Cloning”?

The term “cloning” conjures up sci-fi images of creating multiple identical copies of a person in a lab. But in reality, human cloning means creating a human embryo that is nearly genetically identical to an existing person. This is done through a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer (say that five times fast!), where DNA from an adult cell is transferred into an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed.

This egg cell is then stimulated to divide and develop into an embryo. If implanted into a uterus, it could potentially grow into a nearly identical genetic copy of the DNA donor. So cloning produces an embryo, not a fully formed duplicate person straight out of the lab.

How is This Different From Twinning?

Human clones would be similar to identical twins, who share the same DNA since they come from a single fertilized egg that split into two embryos. But twins happen naturally, while human cloning forces this process artificially in a lab.

So while twins and clones share the same genetic code, clones are created intentionally by scientists while twins just…happen, you know?

What’s the Big Deal About Cloning Humans?

Religious and ethical concerns abound when it comes to human cloning. Critics argue that cloning humans “plays God” by creating life unnaturally in a lab. Others worry that clones could be exploited or suffer from identity issues.

There are also concerns about medical safety, since animal cloning experiments have had low success rates and resulted in health complications.

Has Human Cloning Ever Been Done Before?

Nope, not successfully. There have been a few rogue attempts that fizzled out quickly:

• In 2001, a cult called the Raelians claimed they cloned a human baby named Eve – but this was never scientifically verified.
• In 2004, a South Korean scientist claimed to have created the first cloned human embryos, but they were only at the very early stages of development.

So while we’ve cloned sheep, cats, dogs and other animals, no human clone has been born…yet.

What Exactly Does the New Jersey Law Say?

Here’s the key part of New Jersey statute 2C:11A-1:

“A person who knowingly engages or assists, directly or indirectly, in the cloning of a human being is guilty of a crime of the first degree.”

This law makes performing human cloning a felony offense in New Jersey. First-degree crimes can be punished by 10-20 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000.

The law also defines human cloning as:

“asexually producing or attempting to produce a human being through the creation of a human embryo by any means other than fertilization of a human egg by a human sperm.”

So it covers transferring DNA into an embryo, but not reproduction through IVF or other fertility treatments that use sperm and eggs.

When Was This Law Passed in New Jersey?

New Jersey enacted its ban on human cloning way back in 2003, becoming one of the first states to outlaw it.

This happened after the Raelians’ cloning claim made headlines in 2002. The hype around human cloning led to bans in several states from the early 2000s onward.

Has Anyone Ever Been Prosecuted Under This Law?

Nope. Since no verifiable human cloning has taken place, there have been zero prosecutions under this New Jersey law so far.

It sits on the books as a deterrent to any mad scientists in the Garden State who get ideas about trying to clone someone in their basement lab.

Could This Law Ever Be Changed or Repealed?

Possibly, if public opinion on human cloning evolved significantly. But there are no active efforts to repeal New Jersey’s ban right now.

Some bioethicists argue cloning could be permitted for research purposes with proper oversight. But therapeutic cloning remains controversial.

What About Cloning Endangered Species?

Conservation cloning aims to restore endangered species populations, not create genetically identical human copies.

So cloning animals like the black-footed ferret or Przewalski’s horse to preserve biodiversity is generally more accepted than human cloning.

New Jersey’s law specifically bans only human cloning – so Jurassic Park is still fiction, but cloning extinct animals may someday be reality!

The Takeaway on New Jersey’s Human Cloning Law

While human cloning captures the imagination, it remains science fiction for now. New Jersey’s ban makes performing it a felony, but this law has never actually been used so far.

The technical barriers to viable human cloning mean it’s unlikely scientists are secretly trying it in Garden State labs. But this law stays on the books as a just-in-case deterrent while ethical debates continue swirl.

So don’t worry about clones taking over New Jersey just yet. Outlawing human cloning is more a symbolic statement of ethics than an actual restriction on research. But it does show how quickly states reacted to the idea of human cloning once it seemed remotely feasible.

This law will probably sit unused until human cloning advances from sci-fi to reality…if that day ever comes. What do you think – should we keep the ban in place or rethink it? Let me know if you have any other thoughts or questions!