all you need to know about 
CLONING

WHAT IS CLONING?

            Cloning is the creation of cells or organisms that have exact copy of DNA from the parent. The genetics information between them is exactly the same!!! If we make a number of copies of cells all with identical copies of that same piece of DNA, we already cloned the gene. By producing the large number of copies in this way, we can express its protein product for research or studying purpose. We can even mutate it and study what the differences are before and after the mutation, from there we realize the functions and the properties of that particular gene that it carries. Cloning is an asexual reproduction and now scientists are studying on cloning cells, organs and even the whole organisms!

Basically, cloning can be divided into natural cloning and artificial cloning. Natural cloning happens every day and everywhere. It involves not only human being, but also animals and plants. Identical twins are the example for human being. The twins have identical copy of genetic information between them. Example for animal cloning is starfish. When a starfish is cut into half, they can grow into two identical clones but this only work for simple animals but not higher animals like cow and sheep!  

Artificial cloning is made in lab and is done for medical purposes. DNA cloning, reproductive cloning, therapeutic cloning and organ cloning are the major types of artificial cloning nowadays. The most successful and also most famous cloning of mammals is a sheep name ’Dolly’. It lived for 7 healthy years. Below is the diagram that shows basically how Dolly is cloned. We will discuss the artificial more in the animal cloning session..

Environment can change the physiology of the clone

            The clone has totally identical copy of DNA sequence from the parent and the physical appearance will be also the same. For example we can hardly distinguish between the twins if only based on the physical outlook. However, the physical appearance of the clones can be change due to the environment factor.

How to clone?

            The most common process is taking DNA from one cell and put it into another hollow egg cell. Electricity and chemicals are then used to introduce the new DNA to fuse with the egg and develop into an embryo. This is called nuclear transfer technique. Figure below shows the basic idea of nuclear transfer technique.            

Possibilities created by cloning

•       Produce organs and tissues that replace the damage one

•       Overcome infertility

•       As gene therapy

•       Reproduce endangered species

•       Extract genes from different organisms that improve the taste and nutritious value

•       Produce pests resistance plants

•       Produce genetic modified animals that serve as models for studying human disease

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