Cloning

What is Cloning Clones are organisms that are exact genetic copies. Cloning can happen naturally, identical twins is an example of natural cloning or it can happen in a lab, using artificial embryo twinning or somatic cell nuclear transfer. Either way the genetic make up is exactly the same. There is also stem cell cloning, scientists are studying this as it has the potential to cure many types of disease and to even grow new organs. A man that lost his nose if having a new one growing on his forehead to then be transplanted onto his nose area once its fully grown. The idea of cloning all started with plants, this is know as Asexual cloning and we have been doing this for many decades. Natural Clones (twins) Clones created in a Lab

Process of cloning For organism cloning there is Artificial Embryo Twinning, this method mimics the natural process of twins except it is done in a petri dish by separating an embryo into individual cells, which are developed in the petri dish and then placed into the surrogate mother. As all the embryos came from the same fertilized egg there DNA is identical. The second method, Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, this is done by removing a mature somatic cell, such as a skin cell, from an animal that they wish to copy. After they transfer the DNA of the donor animal’s somatic cell into an egg cell or oocyte, that has had its own DNA containing nucleus removed. The new embryo is then zapped with electricity so that is starts multiplying, it is then ready to be planted into the surrogate to produce a clone.

Benefits of cloning Most of the benefits of cloning come from stem cell cloning. Stem cells are a natural part of our body’s repair system and scientist are studying this to find out about many genes that cause diseases. They are hoping that stem cell cloning will evenually be used to cure many diseases including, ALS, Macular Degeneration, Cystic Fibrosis, Coronary Artery Disease. They are also experimenting with cloning new organs. Cloning is considered as the next logical step in reproductive technology.

Risks of Cloning 95% of animal cloning has ended in failure due to genetic defects, and cloning is considered unsafe because of it. It also risks the possibility of faster aging, might decrease the overall value of human life by having a lot of people that are exactly alike and having to live in the shadow of your genetic donor. There could also be long term problems that won’t show up until much later. Many people also have ethical and religious reasons why they are against cloning. As people shed there skin cell all the time, there is the risk that you could be cloned without your knowledge.

Cloning, future predictions  After Dolly the sheep happened in 1996, Sir John Gurdon believes that human cloning could happen in the next 50 years. He mentioned that parents who lose the children in tragic accidents might be able to clone replacements in the next few decades. However, stem cell cloning is advancing quickly and we will see many developments in this area over the next decade.

My opinion of cloning I support cloning because I believe that cloning will be very helpful because they are finding ways to cure diseases with stem cell cloning and learning about many genes that can cause the diseases. Cloning can also be used to keep alive extinct species also scientist might one day be able to stop world hunger by cloning meat. Although there are definitely going to be problems with cloning, I think the benefits outweigh the risks.

bibliography “gene cloning” A Dictionary of Biology.. Encyclopedia.com, <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. How Does Cloning Work, Andrea Thompson, http://www.livescience.com “cloning”Wikipedia.com Therapeutic Uses of Stem Cells<http://www.pbslearningmedia.org> Class room discussion and notes