What is cloning and the implication of the technology?

Question

What is cloning and the implication of the technology???

Answer 1

The implication of the technology is simple. It is bad. It is messing with something that we shouldn't be messing with.

Answer 2

Cloning means to produce genetically identic organisms. The cloning of animals for example sheep (Dolly) is what is known by the most people. This means that the DNA from an animal is extracted from a cell of the body and transferred to an egg cell of the same organism after the original DNA of this egg cell was destroyed. This way you get a genetic copy of the animal from which you extracted the DNA. Both animals (the DNA donor and the copy) together are called a clone in biologically correct terms, although in common language only the copy is called a clone. Same way, identical twins are a clone in biological terms because they are genetically identical.
The term "cloning" is also used for genetic engineering that is followed by an asexual reproduction of the altered organism. Asexual reproduction results in a clone because no recombination of the genetic material is involved. This is something I frequently do in the lab: I introduce new DNA into bacteria and then let these bacteria proliferate. I spread them on plates to isolate single colonies that originate each from one single cell. Each such colony is a clone because it consists of genetically identical bacteria.
Implications of the second type of cloning that I describes are many as this way you can produce organisms with altered properties that might be useful. You can for example engineer bacteria that can produce a desired product in an industrial fermentation.

Answer 3

Cloning is the process of copying the same copy of an original organism or thing.

One of the implication of this technology is that you can create an organism to be used as your spare parts. This act is really unethical. People might also try to make copies of their deceased beloved. To me, there are more negative implication of this technology. Think about it, if humans got into so much trouble in this world by reproducing naturally, what good can cloning bring?

Answer 4

I would like for you to read the following sites and come to your own decision about the pros and cons of cell cloning. Many people think only about the Dolly experiment, and are fearful of a return to eugenics. These are concerns, but one should also look at the potential benefits (using embryonic stem cells to grow new body cells, ie. nerve cells to help spinal cord injury victims).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1979637,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=1

This is a site from a religious organization that gives an exhaustive overview:

http://www.godandscience.org/slideshow/stemcell.html