Educational Media Reviews Online

The Clone Age (Cloning) is an examination of the legal and ethical issues surrounding clone research in Australia. Some background to the science of cloning is provided, such as explaining how a clone is developed and how stem cells can be harvested from the embryo clone to treat Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, leukemia, diabetes and heart disease. There are interesting microscopic lab techniques displayed, including the actual cloning of a lamb cell. This background information is minimal, however, and it is helpful if viewers understand the definitions of DNA, transplant rejection and cell differentiation before viewing this video.

The program then delves into its main focus of the ethical and legal issues of clone research, what one researcher describes as "the greatest revolution in human medical history.” Scientists, people suffering from Parkinson's disease and leukemia, lawmakers and bioethics experts are interviewed and provide a balanced view of the topic. It is usual for a video on this subject to interview people with debilitating illnesses that could benefit from stem cell research, but this program, in a fascinating twist, has two men suffering from debilitating diseases meet with a research scientist to discuss the progress of therapeutic cloning. The two ill men thoughtfully discuss their opposing views about using human embryos to treat their diseases.

The Clone Age (Cloning) thoroughly explores the issues surrounding this research from an Australian perspective. The accents are easy to understand, although it does take a moment to translate "pay-tent" into "patent.” Recommended for high school audiences and above. Especially appropriate for schools with bioethics programs or courses.