Cloning: A Therapeutic Analysis

The term “cloning” was constructed by the British geneticist J.B.S. Haldane in 1963; the word derives from the Greek word “κλαδάκι”, which is translated to “twig” in English. Although cloning is commonly seen as artificial, asexually reproduction usually coveided by plants can be considered as cloning too. A clone is an identical replicated copy by some conscious design. Cloning techniques have dramatically improved throughout the past years, revolutionizing our future in this area of study. This process has been proven successful on variant occasions. Several species such as frogs, mice, sheep and cows have been skillfully copied through trial and error. In fact, when this technique began success rate were and still is quite low. Dolly (a

As time went by more and more animals were successfully cloned using adult body cells.These techniques did eventually develop into potential human treatments; today pig organs can be as transplants into

“The richest source of embryonic stem cells is tissue formed during the first five days after the egg has started to divide. At this stage of development, called the blastocyst, the embryo consists of a cluster of about 100 cells that can become any cell type. Stem cells are harvested from cloned embryos at this stage of development, resulting in the destruction of the embryo while it is still in the test tube. Researchers hope to use embryonic stem cells, which have the unique ability to generate virtually all types of cells in an organism, to grow healthy tissues in the laboratory that can be used to replace injured or diseased tissues. In addition, it may be possible to learn more about the molecular causes of disease by studying embryonic stem cell lines from cloned embryos derived from the cells of animals or humans with different diseases. Finally, differentiated tissues derived from embryonic stem cells are excellent tools to test new therapeutic drugs.” Although the exploration of these new cells can be beneficial for the future human generation, some critics this practice due to the fact that it is unethical and can turn into cancer cells. Stem cells have the capability to accumulate mutation, thus leaving a risk for diseases such as