Cloning
To clone is to make an
identical copy of. Now, cloning isn't as futuristic as people often believe it
to be. When people think of cloning they often picture someone entering a
machine and exiting with a twin by their side. This however is not the case.
In biology, a clone is
a group of genetically identical organisms or a group of genetically identical
cells derived from a single parent cell. The first mammal to be cloned from an
adult somatic cell using the process of nuclear transfer was Dolly the sheep.
Nuclear transfer is a two-part process where scientists first remove the
nucleus from an egg which they then replace with the nucleus of an older donor
cell. A new clone is formed when the egg starts to divide. Dolly was cloned by
taking udder cells from a donor sheep. These cells were cultured in a low
nutrient medium to make the genes switch off and become dormant. An
unfertilized egg was taken from another sheep and its nucleus was removed by
using a micropipette. The egg cells were fused with the udder cells using a
pulse of electricity. The fused cells developed like normal zygotes and became
embryos. These embryos were then implanted into another sheep who’s role was to
be the surrogate mother. One lamb was born successfully and called Dolly. Dolly
was genetically identical to the sheep from which the udder cells were taken.
Human cells can also be
cloned however several ethical issues are raised when it comes to it. For
example, embryonic stem cells can be used for therapies that save lives and
reduce pain for patients. Cells can also be taken from embryos that have
stopped developing meaning they would have died anyway and they are taken at a
stage when the embryos have no nerve cells and therefore can not feel pain.
Nonetheless, every human embryo is a potential human being and should be given
the chance of developing. Not to mention there is an abundance of embryos
produced and so many are killed. Finally there is a risk of embryonic stem
cells developing into tumor
cells.
In my opinion cloning
is useful to a certain extent. However when it reaches a point where scientists
get to decide the outcome of a certain organism then something needs to be
done. Otherwise all sense of individuality will be gone and nothing will be
down to chance. We will live in a society where everything is planned and
imperfection ceases to exist. Not only this but cloning can still go wrong and
lead to further complications. For example, cloned animals that survive tend to
be much larger at birth resulting in breathing problems. On the other hand some
argue that scientists and doctors should not "play God," however
aren't we technically already playing God by curing disease and implanting
embryos? In saying this, how is cloning any different?
To conclude the concept
of cloning is still relatively new and futuristic as well as controversial.
Several ethical issues come in to play when the subject is brought up, however
it definitely has its strengths and weaknesses.
McA
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