Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Cloning

8 December, 2003
Question:

If a woman cannot concieve after years of fertility treatments is there a way to look into cloning? How is that looked upon in halacha?


Answer:

Cloning technology is not yet available for humans, so no actual cases have as yet been discussed. There has been some theoretical halachic discussion about it, and whether a clone would be considered to fulfill the mitzva to procreate or even would be considered fully human. For an accessible summary of some of the issues involved, please see this two part series by Rabbi Chaim Jachter, here and here.

We invite women who have struggled to conceive after multiple fertility treatments to arrange a personal consultation with a Nishmat Fertility Counselor, a Yoetzet Halacha who has completed additional specialized training in this area. Consultations are free and can take place in person, by phone, or via internet conference.

This response was updated on 14 April, 2021.

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