What is cloning?
In
biomedical research, we have to come across with cloning. In biomedical
research, the definition of cloning is that the process in which we make
duplicates of different kinds of biological materials for the research process
is known as cloning. With the help of cloning, it is possible for us to prepare genetically identical copies of a cell or an organism. In other words, we can
also define cloning as the process in which a cell replicates itself without
any kind of genetic alternation is known as cloning. All the prokaryotic
organisms like bacteria have the ability to create its identical copies by
budding or binary fission. On the other hand, we are creating clones of all the
eukaryotic organisms.
History of cloning
The concept
of cloning is not a new concept in the biomedical science. Its reason is that
first of all, a German Scientist Hans Adolf had given the concept of cloning in
1885. According to Genetic
Science Learning Center, in 1902, he was able to divide an embryo into two
viable embryos. After that, in 1958, a British biologist was able to create
clones of a frog from the skin cells of an adult frog. The first clone of a
mammal was created in 1996. In 1996, a female sheep gave birth to a Finn Desert
Lamb. After preparing first clone of mammal, the scientists were able to find
out the ways to prepare more clones of other animals. Later on, scientists were
also able to create clones of different cells of human beings. In 2013, the
scientists were able to create first clone of human cells and it was clone of
stem cell. Nowadays, the scientists are using these stem cells for multiple
purposes i.e hair re-growth and treatments from the burns.
You can also read our other post:
What is artificial intelligence?
You can also read our other post:
What is artificial intelligence?
Types of cloning
Most of the
people think that there is only one type of cloning and that is organism cloning.
They should come to know that there are three types of cloning and these three
different types of cloning are explained below;
Molecular
cloning
Molecular
cloning is also known as gene cloning. With the help of molecular cloning, it
is possible for us to prepare identical copies of DNA molecules in the
chromosomes.
Organism
cloning
Organism
cloning is also known as reproductive cloning. With the help of organism
cloning, it is possible for us to produce an identical copy of an organism.
Therapeutic
cloning
In this
essential type of cloning, it is possible for us to create clones of human
embryos. These clones are created by producing the stem cells. After creating
these clones, it is possible for us to use these clones for the treatment of
various diseases.
Process of cloning
As we know
that nowadays, it is possible for us to prepare clones of different kinds of
animals but according to Bill Muir (a famous geneticist at the Purdue
University), it is easy for us to prepare clones of cow than other animals. Its
reason is that it is easy for us to obtain eggs from the cows than other
animals. Here, we will discuss cloning process in cows. For this reason, first
of all, we have to take DNA from the cell of an adult cow. This adult cow is
known as donor.
After taking
this DNA cell from an adult cow, we insert it in the egg cell of another cow. Before
inserting DNA cell in the egg cell, we have to remove nucleus from the egg
cell. After removing the nucleus, the egg cell will be able to read and
duplicate the DNA of the donor cell. It is necessary for us to zap the newly
born embryo cell with the help of electricity and it starts the multiplying
process. When this newly-created embryo becomes a blastocyst, we implant it in
the surrogate mother. As a result, a newly-born cow will be identical to the
donor cow.
Facts about cloning
While studying
cloning, there come some questions into our mind. If we want to learn it
completely, it is necessary for us to get answers to these questions. Here, we
will discuss some questions along with their answers about cloning.
Do clones ever occur naturally?
The answer
to this question is “Yes”. There are some single celled organisms like bacteria
that can reproduce identical copies of their cells with the help of asexual
reproduction.
What sort of cloning research is going on at
NHGRI?
The most
common type of cloning research that is done by the researchers at the NHGRI is
gene cloning.
Do cloned animals always look identical?
No, it is
not possible that the cloned animals always look identical. Anyhow, these
clones always share the same genetic material.