The paper gives an overview of the controversial subject of cloning and its usage to develop new drugs.
Written in 2009; 740 words; 5 sources; APA; $ 26.95
Paper Summary:
The field of genetic engineering has progressed tremendously over the last decade. Ever since the 1997 cloning of the first mammal, Dolly, the field of genetic engineering has been subject to criticism both on moral and ethical grounds. The author of the paper attempts to give a brief overview of cloning and specifically, pharming, the use of genetic engineering to insert genes into host animals or plants that would otherwise not posses those genes and therefore produce useful pharmaceuticals.
"Fundamentally, cloning is an asexual process wherein all the genetic material of the offspring is derived from a single parent nucleus resulting in the creation of a genetic duplicate of the parent. In nature, asexual reproduction is restricted mainly to unicellular organisms and some varieties of plants. The cloning process involves nuclear transfer wherein nuclear material obtained from the donor cell is inserted into an enucleated oocyte to form a zygote, which can be implanted into a surrogate mother. Since this is essentially an asexual form of reproduction it has its drawbacks when we envision obtaining entire animal populations from such a technique. First and foremost is the negative effect on genetic diversity. [Scientific American] As we know, genetic diversity and evolution are the key for survival in the long run. By creating an entire population with the same genetic material we run the risk of loosing some of the genes permanently. (inbreeding depression) This practice also endangers the whole species to some disease which would wipe out the entire population which lacks gene diversity and hence the development of resistance. In sexual reproduction however, genetic recombination occurs and chromosomal crossover ensures different combination of genes in the resultant offspring. [Scientific American] Biological variation is the key to the survival of a species and hence cloning is not an effective method for the long-term survival of any species. However, there are other applications for cloning technique, which could be beneficially used for humanity."
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