Clones
are referred to a cell, cell product, or an organism that is genetically
identical to the unit of individual from which it was derived. A clone happens naturally, such as the identical twins which are just
one of many examples. Clones are organisms that are exact genetic copies and
have each single bit of their DNA as identical. Human cloning is possibly one
of the most heated and relevant ethical debates of our time. Cloning is the
process of taking genetic material from one organism, and creating an identical
copy of it by growing it artificially.
The
entire world would be changed if we began to clone humans, in some ways for the
better, but in others it would be much worse. When talking about human lives,
lines must be drawn, but where? In order to form a valid and educated opinion
on human cloning it is very important to understand the argument from both
sides. There are three different types of artificial cloning: Gene Cloning,
Reproductive Cloning and Therapeutic Cloning.
·
Gene cloning
produces copies of genes or segments of DNA.
·
Reproductive
cloning produces copies of whole animals.
· Therapeutic cloning
produces embryonic stem cells for experiments aimed at creating tissues to
replace injured or diseased tissues.
There are two ways to make an exact genetic copy of an organism in a
lab:
1. Artificial
Embryo Twinning
Artificial embryo twinning mimics the natural process that creates
identical twins. In nature, twins form very early in development when the
embryo splits in two. Twinning happens in the first days after egg and sperm
join, while the embryo is made of just a small number of unspecialized cells.
Each half of the embryo continues dividing on its own, ultimately developing
into separate, complete individuals. Since they developed from the same
fertilized egg, the resulting individuals are genetically identical.
2. Somatic Cell
Nuclear Transfer
Somatic
cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), also called nuclear transfer, uses Somatic cell,
which is any cell in the body other than sperm and egg, the two types of
reproductive cells. Reproductive cells are also called germ cells. In mammals,
every somatic cell has two complete sets of chromosomes, whereas the germ cells
have only one complete set. SCNT also uses the Nuclear, which is a compartment
that holds the cell's DNA. The DNA is divided into packages called chromosomes,
and it contains all the information needed to form an organism. It is small
differences in our DNA that make each of us unique.
AnilaRani, a professor in biotechnology discusses the concept of clone and its
various advantages. She has provided assistance to various patients, couples,
and students about various technologies that help them in their particular
cause. Some of the advantages of human cloning are discussed in the following
points:
·
Provide Biological
Children to Infertile Couples: Couples who are not able to naturally
conceive a child would be able to clone themselves in order to have a
biological child. This would also open the possibility for gay or lesbian
couples to have a child that contains both parents DNA and genes
.
· Boon for Medical
Advancement: Once the process of cloning humans is perfected and becomes a
common practice, many other worlds of medical research would be expanded. This
would result in improved medicines and even possibly cures for terminal and
deadly diseases.
· Helps to Compensate a Loss: Parents
who have lost a child could clone them and have their child back. This would
also go for someone who lost a spouse or other family member. This breaches
into the more controversial side of human cloning, but is an advantage none the
less.
· Facilitates Organ Harvesting: Anyone who
is in need of an organ transplant is placed on an excruciatingly long donor
list. Many of these people pass on from their illness before ever receiving a
transplant. With human cloning, organs could be cloned from the person’s tissue
and used as a transplant.
· Promotes Elimination of Birth Defects: Any severe birth defect that is detected in the womb could be
reversed using human cloning. They would simply take the tissue of the child
and create a clone. After they have done this they could manipulate the embryos
genes to remove the birth defect and give them a better possibility of living a
long and fulfilling life.
· Provides Prolonged Life: If a
person is aging, they could have their young cell cloned in order to preserve
their youth. This would be done with the technology of human cloning, and could
prolong the average life span of a human being dramatically.
· Bring Back Great Minds: Legendary,
genius, and influential people could be brought back using human cloning. This
means that we could possibly create a dozen Einstein’s or Abraham Lincolns to
come and help solve world problems.