Biochemistry: Animal Cloning
What is cloning?
Cloning is the process of producing genetically identical copies of a biological entity. The copied material, which has the same genetic makeup as the original, is referred to as a clone. A clone is a genetically identical copy of an organism, and it may be naturally occurring or created in the lab. Through the process of asexual reproduction, organisms such as bacteria create offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. Modern genetic technology can also be used to create clones.
Who uses cloning?
Since cloning is relatively new, researchers are still working on the process of cloning and its capabilities. Scientists and researchers have used cloning to clone a wide range of biological materials, including genes, cells, tissues and even entire animals. Other people that use cloning include farmers, who clone foods and animals rather than making actual food.
Since cloning is relatively new, researchers are still working on the process of cloning and its capabilities. Scientists and researchers have used cloning to clone a wide range of biological materials, including genes, cells, tissues and even entire animals. Other people that use cloning include farmers, who clone foods and animals rather than making actual food.
What is the process of cloning?
Since there are three types of cloning, there are different processes for cloning. The three different types of cloning are gene cloning, reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning. Although there are many types of cloning, for the process of cloning, reproductive cloning will be the main topic. Gene cloning is where a piece of foreign DNA is inserted into a vector, which can be copied by a host cell. Therapeutic cloning involves the production of patient-matched stem cells for disease treatment. Reproductive cloning is the process by which a whole organism is cloned. First, a cell is taken from the organism that is being cloned. The DNA from this donor cell is then transferred to an egg cell whose DNA has been removed. The egg cell is “activated” and begins dividing as if it was fertilized. An embryo results, and this embryo is then transferred to the uterus of a surrogate female. After gestation is complete, the surrogate will give birth to the clone, which is a genetic copy of the animal from which the original cell was taken.
Since there are three types of cloning, there are different processes for cloning. The three different types of cloning are gene cloning, reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning. Although there are many types of cloning, for the process of cloning, reproductive cloning will be the main topic. Gene cloning is where a piece of foreign DNA is inserted into a vector, which can be copied by a host cell. Therapeutic cloning involves the production of patient-matched stem cells for disease treatment. Reproductive cloning is the process by which a whole organism is cloned. First, a cell is taken from the organism that is being cloned. The DNA from this donor cell is then transferred to an egg cell whose DNA has been removed. The egg cell is “activated” and begins dividing as if it was fertilized. An embryo results, and this embryo is then transferred to the uterus of a surrogate female. After gestation is complete, the surrogate will give birth to the clone, which is a genetic copy of the animal from which the original cell was taken.
Who is Dolly the Sheep?
Dolly the sheep was a clone from an experiment at the Roslin Institute. The goal of this experiment was to create a better way to make genetically modified livestock. From this experiment, scientists were excited to learn how cells change during the growth and development stages and how skin or brain cells could make a whole new animal. At this time period, scientists did not really know too much about cloning because it was still a new and unimaginable concept. Dolly the sheep was formed through reproductive cloning. Dolly the sheep came about because a cell was taken from the mammary gland of a Finn Dorset sheep and and egg cell from a Scottish Blackface sheep. The DNA and egg was fused together and placed into the surrogate mother. On July 5th, 1996, Dolly was born from her surrogate mother. Dolly had a white face, which was a sign of cloning because if she was actually bred like normal she would have had a black face like the Scottish Blackface sheep. Dolly was a revolutionary clone because she was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell. From this experiment, Dolly proved to scientists that specialized cells could create copies. From Dolly’s cloning, this allowed for advancements in biology and medicine, which included the development of the personalized stem cells.
Who is Tetra the Rhesus Monkey?
On September 1999, a team of American scientists produced the first non-human primate clone. Tetra, a Rhesus monkey baby, was born in September last year at the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center in the US. Unlike Dolly the sheep's creation through nuclear transfer, Tetra the Rhesus monkey was created through embryo splitting. The creation of Tetra started with 107 different Rhesus embryos being split in total.To form Tetra, an eight-cell embryo with a removed shell, was mechanically manipulated to form four individual two-cell embryos. Two of these embryos were implanted into two different surrogate mothers. Unfortunately, one of the surrogate mothers miscarried, but the other monkey was successful and became Tetra's mother. The process of Embryo splitting produces genetically identical offspring which is very valuable to medical research as it may reduce the number needed for some experiments and create new opportunities to study disease and new treatments. Since the cloning of Tetra was successful, this made the way for new discoveries and possibilities. With these new clones, scientists are able to produce models for testing whether it is possible to grow stem cells for transplant into patients with failing organs. Most new medical techniques are tested on mice. Monkeys, being genetically more similar to humans, may provide more reliable results.
How is cloning used for basic research?
Cloning is used to find more advancements in different fields of science, such as biology and medicine. Since we are able to clone monkeys, which are genetically similar to humans, we are able to test medical techniques that may provide better results for humans. Cloning is a great way to practice new medical ideas and techniques.
How is cloning used for applied research?
With the discovery of cloning, people and scientists have used this process to make lots of money. Humans are now able to clone food and to sell cloned food. According to the FDA, meats milk and other foods from cloned animals such as cattle, pigs, and goats are as safe to eat as food from conventionally bred animals. Farmers could make cloned animals and sell their meat rather than organically creating animals. Another use of cloning for applied research is for pets. A company located in San Francisco named Genetics Saving and Clone, sold a cloned cat to a Texas lady for $50,000. Although people are still concerned about the ethicality of cloning, scientists and people will continue to clone in order to make money.
Sources:
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2000-12/976213068.Ge.r.html
Dolly the sheep was a clone from an experiment at the Roslin Institute. The goal of this experiment was to create a better way to make genetically modified livestock. From this experiment, scientists were excited to learn how cells change during the growth and development stages and how skin or brain cells could make a whole new animal. At this time period, scientists did not really know too much about cloning because it was still a new and unimaginable concept. Dolly the sheep was formed through reproductive cloning. Dolly the sheep came about because a cell was taken from the mammary gland of a Finn Dorset sheep and and egg cell from a Scottish Blackface sheep. The DNA and egg was fused together and placed into the surrogate mother. On July 5th, 1996, Dolly was born from her surrogate mother. Dolly had a white face, which was a sign of cloning because if she was actually bred like normal she would have had a black face like the Scottish Blackface sheep. Dolly was a revolutionary clone because she was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell. From this experiment, Dolly proved to scientists that specialized cells could create copies. From Dolly’s cloning, this allowed for advancements in biology and medicine, which included the development of the personalized stem cells. Who is Tetra the Rhesus Monkey?
On September 1999, a team of American scientists produced the first non-human primate clone. Tetra, a Rhesus monkey baby, was born in September last year at the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center in the US. Unlike Dolly the sheep's creation through nuclear transfer, Tetra the Rhesus monkey was created through embryo splitting. The creation of Tetra started with 107 different Rhesus embryos being split in total.To form Tetra, an eight-cell embryo with a removed shell, was mechanically manipulated to form four individual two-cell embryos. Two of these embryos were implanted into two different surrogate mothers. Unfortunately, one of the surrogate mothers miscarried, but the other monkey was successful and became Tetra's mother. The process of Embryo splitting produces genetically identical offspring which is very valuable to medical research as it may reduce the number needed for some experiments and create new opportunities to study disease and new treatments. Since the cloning of Tetra was successful, this made the way for new discoveries and possibilities. With these new clones, scientists are able to produce models for testing whether it is possible to grow stem cells for transplant into patients with failing organs. Most new medical techniques are tested on mice. Monkeys, being genetically more similar to humans, may provide more reliable results. How is cloning used for basic research?
Cloning is used to find more advancements in different fields of science, such as biology and medicine. Since we are able to clone monkeys, which are genetically similar to humans, we are able to test medical techniques that may provide better results for humans. Cloning is a great way to practice new medical ideas and techniques.
How is cloning used for applied research?
With the discovery of cloning, people and scientists have used this process to make lots of money. Humans are now able to clone food and to sell cloned food. According to the FDA, meats milk and other foods from cloned animals such as cattle, pigs, and goats are as safe to eat as food from conventionally bred animals. Farmers could make cloned animals and sell their meat rather than organically creating animals. Another use of cloning for applied research is for pets. A company located in San Francisco named Genetics Saving and Clone, sold a cloned cat to a Texas lady for $50,000. Although people are still concerned about the ethicality of cloning, scientists and people will continue to clone in order to make money.
Sources:
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2000-12/976213068.Ge.r.html
Upon doing some research on Dolly, I found that she actually died at an early age. She developed lung disease and arthritis as well. Another sheep was also cloned in Australia and died after only two years and ten months. I am just curious if you or anyone else knows why this occurs and what measures scientists are taking to combat this issue. Interesting post! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! I think that sheeps like Dolly and the sheep from Australia died at such a young age because during their times, cloning was a relatively new process. I looked into the sheep cloned in Australia, which was cloned in April 17, 2000. When we fast forward to present day, the animals being cloned are living longer because we have more knowledge on cloning and I think that the new techniques being used, such as gene cloning, is helpful. Once again, thank you for your insightful comment!
ReplyDeleteHey Eric. This is a very interesting post, great job summarizing the basics of cloning! It was very interesting to read that there are 3 types of cloning and not just one. Although I already new about Dolly the sheep, reading about her again from a different perspetive was very interesting. It was also fascinating to learn all the different steps involved in cloning her. Before reading this post I also did not know that there were other animals like Dolly the sheep who have been cloned. Tetra the rhesus monkey is my favorite by the way. Reading about how a company sold a Texas woman a cloned cat for $50,000 was very interesting. All in all I think your post was very informative, interesting, and easy to read. Good job Eric!
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