Cloning

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Before we discuss the possibilities of human genetic cloning we must first understand exactly what cloning is and the different types. Not all forms of genetic cloning are associated with cloned babies and Frankenstein tomatoes, other forms of cloning have been used in our laboratories reliably for a number of years and have provided a wealth of insight into our understanding of genetics.

The three type of cloning are recombinant DNA cloning, reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning. Lets consider each one of these in turn.

Recombinant DNA cloning or gene cloning refers to the process by which a fragment of DNA is transferred from one organism to a self-replicating genetic element such as a bacterial plasmid or a virus. Plasmids are self-replicating extra-chromosomal circular DNA molecules, distinct from the normal bacterial genome and can be used to make many copies of the gene. These genetic elements can then be inserted into a cell of interest and the function of the gene of interest studied.
Reproductive Cloning Process

Reproductive cloning refers to the process by which an animal is created which had the same nuclear DNA as a previously existing animal. This is accomplished by the removal of the DNA containing nucleus of an egg and its replacement by the DNA from another cell. The egg is then stimulated to divide and following a number of divisions it can be transferred into the uterus of a suitable female host until its birth. Reproductive cloning has been around for a number of years, with the tadpole being the first animal to be cloned in 1952. However the advent of Dolly the sheep, the first large mammal to be cloned by Scottish scientists in 1997, led to the belief that one-day humans might be cloned. Cloned animals are not exact twins however as despite sharing copies of the nuclear DNA, another source of DNA the mitochondria are derived from the original egg. This may be of consequence as mitochondrial DNA is believed to play a role in the aging process. A significant problem of reproductive cloning is its inefficiency, more than 90% of cloning attempts fail to produce viable offspring. In addition little is known of the long-term effects of cloning with many cloned animals dying prematurely.
Therapeutic cloning Process

Therapeutic cloning, or embryo cloning refers to the production of human embryos for research purposes. The goal of this is not to create cloned babies but to harvest the stem cells of the embryo that have the potential to develop into almost any cell in the body. The extraction of stem cells from the blastocyte form of the egg results in its destruction. This obviously throws up a number of ethical issues however researchers believe that these cells can be used to treat diseases such as heart disease and Alzheimer's.
Human Cloning

The idea that scientists can `play God` is horrifying to all however the possibility to fight disease and alleviate the medical hardships of people should not be overlooked. Properly monitored with continued research, the technology of cloning can and will provide us with the means to deal with the medical issues of the twenty first century.

Recombinant DNA Cloning Process

Recombinant DNA cloning or gene cloning refers to the process by which a fragment of DNA is transferred from one organism to a self-replicating genetic element such as a bacterial plasmid or a virus. Plasmids are self-replicating extra-chromosomal circular DNA molecules, distinct from the normal bacterial genome and can be used to make many copies of the gene. These genetic elements can then be inserted into a cell of interest and the function of the gene of interest studied.

Reproductive Cloning Process

Reproductive cloning refers to the process by which an animal is created which haad the same nuclear DNA as a previously existing animal. This is accomplished by the removal of the DNA containing nucleus of an egg and its replacement by the DNA from another cell. The egg is then stimulated to divide and following a number of divisions it can be transferred into the uterus of a suitable female host until its birth. Reproductive cloning has been around for a number of years, with the tadpole being the first animal to be cloned in 1952. However the advent of Dolly the sheep, the first large mammal to be cloned by Scottish scientists in 1997, led to the belief that one-day humans might be cloned. Cloned animals are not exact twins however as despite sharing copies of the nuclear DNA, another source of DNA the mitochondria are derived from the original egg. This may be of consequence as mitochondrial DNA is believed to play a role in the aging process. A significant problem of reproductive cloning is its inefficiency, more than 90% of cloning attempts fail to produce viable offspring. In addition little is known of the long-term effects of cloning with many cloned animals dying prematurely.

Therapeutic cloning Process

Therapeutic cloning, or embryo cloning refers to the production of human embryos for research purposes. The goal of this is not to create cloned babies but to harvest the stem cells of the embryo that have the potential to develop into almost any cell in the body. The extraction of stem cells from the blastocyte form of the egg results in its destruction. This obviously throws up a number of ethical issues however researchers believe that these cells can be used to treat diseases such as heart disease and Alzheimer's.

Human Cloning

The idea that scientists can `play God` is horrifying to all however the possibility to fight disease and alleviate the medical hardships of people should not be overlooked. Properly monitored with continued research, the technology of cloning can and will provide us with the means to deal with the medical issues of the twenty first century.