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What is Cloning?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Cloning is the asexual production of an exact copy of an original. So for example, one could use cloning to produce the exact copy of a single cell. The cell copy would be identical to the first cell and would have the same exact DNA sequence. In many cases, cloning has been used to reproduce type specific cells. In some instances, cloning of an individual organism, like the sheep, Dolly, has been possible.

Unlike reproduction that involves two “parents,” such as a male and female plants, cloning has a single parent. This is often used in reproducing certain plants. Certain plants have undergone cloning processes for thousands of years, but they do not play a part in the ethical debates that surround cloning of animals, and most particularly humans.

Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1996.
Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1996.

For example, reproductive cloning of animals was first attempted in the 1950s. Most identify the sheep Dolly, cloned in 1996. Dolly’s parent had DNA transferred into an egg that had its nucleus removed. This is called a somatic cell nuclear transfer. The cell was then treated with chemicals and stimulated to grow so than an almost exact replicate of the cloned sheep was born.

Human cloning has not occured yet.
Human cloning has not occured yet.

In actuality, Dolly was not a precise clone of her parent. She shared the same DNA, but some of the genetic materials of the donor cell also became part of Dolly’s parentage. This is only .01% of Dolly’s DNA, but it does make a negligible difference.

The cloning resulting in Dolly was not exactly simple. In fact it took 277 donor eggs, and the production of 29 embryos before a live birth was achieved. Calf cloning experiments with somatic cell nuclear transfer have prospered less than 1% of the time.

Reproductive cloning is the cloning of an entire organism.
Reproductive cloning is the cloning of an entire organism.

However, the idea of cloning humans still remains. While many people feel that cloning human tissue, as for organs for transplant might be valuable, many others feel that cloning a whole human is unethical. Some scientists without religious affiliation also believe that ethical issues that might be engendered in prolonging life through cloned tissues need further scrutiny.

In cloning, the cell should have the same exact DNA sequence.
In cloning, the cell should have the same exact DNA sequence.

From a moral standpoint, much has to do with how some reproductive clones are made. Many believe that an embryo, even when simply fertilized sperm and egg is a human and thus should not be destroyed. Experimentation of embryos to produce clones often results in embryo death. Further some feel that cloned embryos might be used specifically to harvest body parts and then killed.

DNA cloning has been used in genetic engineering to create plants that offer better nutritional value.
DNA cloning has been used in genetic engineering to create plants that offer better nutritional value.

Some further feel that the harvesting of stem cells from an embryo is also wrong, or that creating embryos for the purpose of harvesting stem cells is unethical. Others argue that stem cell research may point the way toward curing diseases for which there is currently no cure. It should be noted, however, that fewer people object to the idea of cloning a body part, than cloning a human.

Others are concerned about the cloning of extinct or endangered animals. In fact Michael Crichton’s novel Jurassic Park dealt with this theme extensively. Especially since actual dinosaur DNA has been found recently, in enough abundance to clone, some scientists are concerned about the environmental impact that could result from reproducing a long dead species.

In some countries, stem cell research has been halted, when it involves cloning human embryos. Other scientists investigate the possibility of finding stem cells elsewhere, as in the umbilical cord blood of newborns. It is suspected that some countries may be attempting to clone a whole human, but have not yet achieved this.

Though cloning is much in the news, it is still an imperfect science with more failures than successes at present. This suggests that scientists may not fully understand all the mechanisms involved in creating an exact copy of another organism. With further research, such mechanisms may be understood and clear the way toward making clones. Yet, doing so is likely to result in continued controversy.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent AllTheScience contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent AllTheScience contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Discussion Comments

anon334014

Can you help on the ethical issues of PCR?

anon319282

Great Job. Seems like cloning can be very dangerous.

Would it be possible to clone people who are dead, and possibly bring them life? That could be really bad.

anon114302

it is so helpful and full of important information.

anon113673

this article didn't really help. i need to know why cloning is controversial.

anon64266

nice! i like wise geek. it has helped me for every assignment for the past two years!

anon33598

This article is well-balanced and detailed to perfection with great knowledge of the subject. It is well detailed and i recommend this article to anyone who needs and idea or an insight into cloning. Very impressed!

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    • Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1996.
      By: mato020
      Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1996.
    • Human cloning has not occured yet.
      By: Nomad_Soul
      Human cloning has not occured yet.
    • Reproductive cloning is the cloning of an entire organism.
      By: pixbull
      Reproductive cloning is the cloning of an entire organism.
    • In cloning, the cell should have the same exact DNA sequence.
      By: xtock
      In cloning, the cell should have the same exact DNA sequence.
    • DNA cloning has been used in genetic engineering to create plants that offer better nutritional value.
      By: karichs
      DNA cloning has been used in genetic engineering to create plants that offer better nutritional value.