Cloning
Cloning is a process used to obtain an identical organism asexually. The clone it produces does not only look and think like its donor, its DNA is identical. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is the substance that contains the genetic information for most organisms. In other words, it contains the information that tells the body how to work and develop. For example, if you have blue eyes, it is a result of your DNA. The core of the case against cloning for cures is that it will justify the creation of a whole new industry of embryo production whose entire purpose would be dismemberment for research. From an opposing standpoint, there is no evidence for the position that embryonic clones are persons or even potential persons. Before going into the argument of its ethics and righteousness, one must fully understand the process of cloning. The technique used to make cloning possible is called nuclear transfer. It was first explored in the 1920s by Hans Spemann for the purpose of conducting genetics research, the study of heredity and genes in living organisms. Nuclear transfer requires two cells, a donor cell and an oocyte, or egg cell. Contrary to previous belief, research has proven that the egg cell works optima
Spinal cord injury, one of the most dangerous injuries possible next to death itself, can be fixed through cloning, as we may learn to grow nerves or the entire spinal cord back again when it is injured. Paralysis victims may be able to get out of their wheel chairs and walk again. There is also serious potential in cloning to produce herds of top class livestock, which ABS Global Inc. is currently working on, or the breeding of champion racehorses without the gene impurification yielded by traditional reproduction, where only half of the desired genes are obtained in the final organism. Cloning would provide reproduction of the entire genome of an elite species, providing animals that only produce the best. (http://library.advanced.org/24355/data/light/implicationsnav.html.) These perfect animals could also reproduce, so that the process of cloning need not be performed every time another animal is desired. This would save money as well. Sheep, goats, pigs; et cetera can be cloned in the same manner, overcoming the normally expected restrictions. Also, mammalian cloning research would allow genetic manipulation to provide animals that are disease-resistant and possess many other desirable traits. Clones of these transgenic animals would provide herds of superior livestock. Cloning can also be an asset to science through the use of a cure for infertility: an infertile couple can more easily have children. Down's Syndrome can also be avoided by cloning. Tay Sachs disease, a gender linked genetic disorder, could be prevented by ensuring the gender of a baby before it is even born. For liver and kidney failure, we may be able to clone livers for liver transplants and kidneys for kidney transplants. Leukemia, which has consumed a rather uncomfortable number of children and adults, would be cured through cloning by cloning bone marrow. This is widely expected to be one of the first benefits to come from cloning and genetic technology. For cystic fibrosis, we may be able to produce effective genetic therapy against it. Cancer is without a doubt one of the most well-known and feared diseases on earth. Through cloning, we may be able to cure this threat to mankind. Not tomorrow, but as cloning technology progresses, we may learn how to switch cells on and off, thus curing cancer. Last year, ABS Global, Inc. (ABS), a world leading provider of bovine reproductive services and technologies, introduced a healthy, then 6-month old bull calf named "Gene" produced from its proprietary cloning technology. (http://www.Infigen.com/0807news.htm.) ABS also announced the formation of Infigen Inc., its purpose being to commercialize applications of cloning technologies in the cattle breeding, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and xenotransplantation fields, defined as the act of transplanting organs from one species to another. Infigen's scientific breakthrough furthers the possibility for making cattle-cloning technologies more common. Their new genetic technology provides an unlimited source of genetic material to produce large numbers of cloned cattle in a way of avoiding very large costs. Marc Van't Noordende, chief executive officer of ABS, said, "Cloning and the related technologies of Infigen offer tremendous promise for enhancing the quality, consistency, and nutritional value of dairy and beef products, and have promising applications for the transgenic production of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and xenotransplantation products." (http://www.Infigen.com/0807/news.htm.) The Honolulu technique was introduced to the world in July of 1998 by a team of scientists at the University of Hawaii. They recently announced that through the process of this technique, they have produced three generations of genetically identical cloned mice. The technique has been credited to Teruhiko Wakayama and Ryuzo Yanagimachi at the University of Hawaii. In compliance with the results of the Roslin Institute, they were able to ma
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Approximate Word count = 3236
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)
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