CLONING AND RESEARCH

Subject   : Paragraph-based Writing

Lecturer : MR. M. Ikhwan Rosyidi,  S.S., MA.

CLONING

Compiled By :Rochmatuminalloh, S.Pd.I.

Headmaster of RA Miftahul Ulum Parasi Bantarkawung Brebes

 

Cloning is the creation of a genetic copy of a sequence of DNA or of the entire genome of an organism. In the latter sense, cloning occurs naturally in the birth of identical twins and other multiples. In the debate over cloning, however, the term ‘cloning’ typically refers to somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). SCNT involves transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell (any body cell other than a sperm or egg cell) into an enucleated oocyte, i.e. an oocyte from which the nucleus and thus most of the DNA has been removed.

The cloning debate, however, has focussed on the use of SCNT. There are two possible uses of SCNT: creating cloned human embryos to use in research and therapy, and creating human embryos with the intention of gestating them into full-grown human beings. The latter is called ‘reproductive cloning’. The former is often referred to as ‘therapeutic cloning,’ but in this entry it will be discussed under the heading ‘cloning for research and therapy.’ Both reproductive cloning and cloning for research and therapy involve SCNT, but their aims, as well as most of the ethical concerns they raise, differ. We will first discuss cloning for research and therapy and will then proceed to outline the ethical debate surrounding reproductive cloning.

In cloning for research and therapy, the embryo cloned through SCNT is not transferred into a womb; rather, it is used to obtain tissue- or patient-specific stem cells. Stem cells are very promising tools for research and therapy. Their unique capacities to divide and self-renew for long periods of time and to differentiate into different types of body cells make them invaluable tools in what is now called ‘regenerative medicine’. Stem cells could serve as a virtually inexhaustible source of replacement cells to regenerate diseased or damaged organs and tissues. They could, for example, be induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes to replace damaged heart tissue or into dopamine producing cells for treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Cloning in biology is the process of producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce asexually. Cloning in biotechnology refers to processes used to create copies of DNA fragments (molecular cloning), cells (cell cloning), or organisms. The term also refers to the production of multiple copies of a product such as digital media or software.

When the first cloned sheep, Dolly, hit the news, most eyes popped-out in sheer disbelief.  Decades back, cloning was only discussed in scientific circles and no one ever imagined that it would soon become a reality. In simple terms, cloning can be understood as production of genetic copies which can develop genetically identical human organisms. A cloned organism, or group of organisms, is composed or cloned using the exact genetic material as the original organism(s). Ever since cloning became a possibility, its pros and cons have been fervently debated over on moral, ethical and technical grounds. In case you want to know the possible advantages and disadvantages of cloning, follow the article.  

Cloning body parts can become a life-saver. The vital organs of human body can be cloned and used as back-up in case of an organ failure. When a crucial body organ such as kidney or heart fails to perform its normal functions, it can be replaced with a cloned organ substitute.

Since cloning creates identical genes and it is a process of replicating a complete genetic constitution, it can significantly hamper the much needed DNA diversity in human beings. The lessening of genes diversity will weaken our adaptation ability. Similarly, cloning will also severely affect diversity in plants and animals. A cloned species may not know how to react to viruses and other destructive agents as scientists cannot predict such potential developments. National Academies Report Debates the Pros and Cons of Human Reproductive Cloning

The United States should ban human reproductive cloning aimed at creating a child, says a new National Academies' report that considers only the scientific and medical aspects of this issue, plus ethical issues that pertain to human-subjects research. Based on experience with reproductive cloning in animals, the report concludes that human reproductive cloning would be dangerous for the woman, fetus, and newborn, and is likely to fail.

Human cloning is the creation of a genetically identical copy of an existing or previously existing human. The term is generally used to refer to artificial human cloning; human clones in the form of identical twins are commonplace, with their cloning occurring during the natural process of reproduction. There are two commonly discussed types of human cloning: therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning.

No unified religious perspective on human cloning exists; indeed, there are a diversity of opinions within each individual religious tradition. For an overview of the evaluation of cloning by the main religious groups see, for example, Cole-Turner (1997) and Walters (2004). For a specifically Jewish perspective on cloning, see, for example, Lipschutz (1999), for an Islamic perspective, Sadeghi (2007) and for a Catholic perspective, Doerflinger (1999).