Introduction
Cloning is a biological process of producing populations with genetically identical DNA as their predecessors through asexual reproduction. In layman’s terms, it’s like producing multiple copies of a product that are identical to the original/parent product. My essay will focus on reproductive cloning which refers to a procedure of creating new multi-cellular organisms that are genetically identical to each other. Fertilization of the eggs or gametes from the hosts does not occur hence the mode of reproduction is asexual. Asexual reproduction is however a “naturally occurring phenomenon in many plant species through vegetative reproduction” (Panno, 2004, p. 57) and other species like an amoeba. Reproductive cloning is a very controversial issue in today’s society with a majority of people fearing scientists are playing God and they may attempt to clone humans. Currently, most of the attempts involve the cloning of certain animal species like Dolly the sheep, and only a few of these attempts have been successful. Reproductive cloning utilizes a procedure called “somatic cell transfer to come up with offspring that are genetically identical to the parent nucleus” (Panno, 2004, p. 61). This process entails the removal of a nucleus from a host’s cell and transferring it to an egg that lacks a nucleus. It is the nucleus that contains the DNA of the donor. The nucleus undergoes reprogramming once it is inserted into the egg. (Reprogramming is the removal and remodeling of epigenetic marks) The egg which now contains the nucleus (and DNA) of the donor is stimulated by an electric shock and starts dividing. After a couple of mitotic cell divisions, an early-stage embryo known as a blastocyst is formed. Its DNA structure is similar to the donor. “The blastocyst is then transferred to the uterus of a surrogate mother”. (Panno, 2004, p. 63).
Injaz the Cloned Camel
Another prominent example of animal cloning was Injaz; the world’s first cloned camel. Injaz was cloned in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Injaz was “created” from the collected ovarian cells of a donor camel that had been killed for its meat in 2005. The cells were then grown separate from an organism in tissue culture and then preserved in liquid nitrogen. Later, one of the cells was transferred into the egg or oocyte of a surrogate camel whose nucleus had been removed. An electric shock was passed to join them and chemically stimulated to kick off cell division. Sub-division of the cells to form a blastocyst continued for a week after which the embryo was implanted into the surrogate camel’s uterus. “The procedure was successful and pregnancy was confirmed twenty-eight days later using an ultrasound” (2009). The gestation period lasted 378 days after which Injaz was born. Injaz was proven to be a clone of the original camel when both DNAs were found to be similar after being tested at the Molecular Biology and Genetics Laboratory in Dubai. “According to Dr. Lulu Skidmore camel cloning gave them the means to preserve the valuable genetics of their elite racing and milk-producing camels of the future.” It’s worth noting that camel racing is a lucrative industry in the Arab world and this is seen by the “personal endorsement and support for the project by the vice president of the UAE and the emir of Dubai” (2009).
Summary
Animal cloning is certainly a breakthrough especially in the field of medicinal science where experts believe the cure of diseases like diabetes and other genetically inherited diseases can be found if similar cloning procedures can be allowed in stem cell research. This will certainly be useful to mankind if and only if strict regulation is introduced to monitor scientific research. The chance of a human clone occurring is a question of when and not if. (Panno, 2004, p. 111).
References
- Panno Joseph PhD, (2004) Animal Cloning: The Science of Nuclear Transfer, Facts on File, pp. 56-63
- Panno Joseph PhD, (2004) Gene Therapy: Treating Disease by Repairing Genes, Facts on File, pp. 109-113
- USA Today, 2009, Scientist: First Cloned Camel Born in Dubai.