Research cloning

Research cloning

The possibility of human cloning, raised when Scottish scientists at Roslin Institute created the much-celebrated sheep "Dolly" (Nature 385, 810-13, 1997), aroused worldwide interest and concern because of its scientific and ethical implications.

There are different types of cloning however, and cloning technologies can be used for other purposes besides producing the genetic twin of another organism. There are   three types of cloning technologies: (1) recombinant DNA technology or DNA cloning, (2) reproductive cloning, and (3) therapeutic cloning.

For reproductive cloning, the clonal embryo would have to be implanted into a woman's womb. If all went well, the clonal embryo would become a clonal baby. This baby would have exactly the same genes as the person who donated the genetic material from his or her adult cell. That means that the baby would be an exact genetic copy of the donor - the nuclear donor's clone.

Due to the inefficiency of animal cloning (only about 1 or 2 viable offspring for every 100 experiments) and the lack of understanding about reproductive cloning, many scientists and physicians strongly believe that it would be unethical to attempt to clone humans. Not only do most attempts to clone mammals fail, about 30% of clones born alive are affected with "large-offspring syndrome" and other debilitating conditions. Several cloned animals have died prematurely from infections and other complications. The same problems would be expected in human cloning. In addition, scientists do not know how cloning could impact mental development.

The creation of clonal embryos involves the process know as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), in which the nucleus of a (diploid) somatic cell is inserted into an egg cell from which the (haploid) nucleus has been removed. The resulting clonal embryo is induced to begin dividing with chemicals or electricity. Research cloning is controversial because it poses health risks to women who provide the necessary eggs, because the high demand for such eggs could lead to exploitation, and because the successful creation of viable clonal embryos would make reproductive cloning more feasible. Some countries prohibit research cloning. Others allow it but regulate the practice carefully.

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