For most of us, cloning seems like some sort of futuristic scientific procedure. However, scientists have been hard at work advancing cloning techniques for many decades. The goals of cloning differ based on the type of cloning is being practiced.
The type of cloning that primarily deals with protein analysis is molecular cloning, which is also known as DNA cloning. Molecular biologists look at the way proteins form and also their function as each protein has its own special function. Some proteins catalyze metabolic reactions, while others transport information throughout the body, and still others replicate our DNA. Being able to identify and alter these proteins may prove to be a way for scientists to cure everything from Alzheimer's to Parkinson's disease to cancer.
Reproductive cloning is just about what it sounds like, which is using cloning technology to create an animal with the identical nuclear DNA as another animal. This can be an animal that is currently alive or scientists can use the DNA of animal that is no longer alive.
While the DNA in the cell nucleus that is used to create embryos is identical to the original animal's DNA, the DNA in the new animal's cell mitochondria is unique and not identical to the original animal. So in the end, the animal is highly similar, but certainly not a completely identical copy of the first animal.
Therapeutic cloning is yet another form of cloning, and it is perhaps the most controversial. Unlike reproductive cloning, where the goal is to create a new animal from an embryo, the embryo in therapeutic cloning is halted in its growing process. The process is stopped at a certain point so that the stem cells of the embryo can be studied, and then the embryo is destroyed.
Obviously, the creating and destruction of therapeutic clones is a subject of much ethical debate, and there are many detractors. The stem cells found in these embryos, however, can be transformed into any of the more than 200 cells that are found in the body. The hope is that one day these cells can be used to replace cells as a treatment for everything from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.
The type of cloning that primarily deals with protein analysis is molecular cloning, which is also known as DNA cloning. Molecular biologists look at the way proteins form and also their function as each protein has its own special function. Some proteins catalyze metabolic reactions, while others transport information throughout the body, and still others replicate our DNA. Being able to identify and alter these proteins may prove to be a way for scientists to cure everything from Alzheimer's to Parkinson's disease to cancer.
Reproductive cloning is just about what it sounds like, which is using cloning technology to create an animal with the identical nuclear DNA as another animal. This can be an animal that is currently alive or scientists can use the DNA of animal that is no longer alive.
While the DNA in the cell nucleus that is used to create embryos is identical to the original animal's DNA, the DNA in the new animal's cell mitochondria is unique and not identical to the original animal. So in the end, the animal is highly similar, but certainly not a completely identical copy of the first animal.
Therapeutic cloning is yet another form of cloning, and it is perhaps the most controversial. Unlike reproductive cloning, where the goal is to create a new animal from an embryo, the embryo in therapeutic cloning is halted in its growing process. The process is stopped at a certain point so that the stem cells of the embryo can be studied, and then the embryo is destroyed.
Obviously, the creating and destruction of therapeutic clones is a subject of much ethical debate, and there are many detractors. The stem cells found in these embryos, however, can be transformed into any of the more than 200 cells that are found in the body. The hope is that one day these cells can be used to replace cells as a treatment for everything from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.
About the Author:
Armand Zeiders loves writing about biomedical research. For more information about N-terminal sequencing service, please visit the Primm Biotech site now.
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