...degenerative diseases, thereby defective genes could be replaced and help improve the lives of millions. However, cloning in the human sense has had a difficult start. DNA cloning has permitted the development of modern biology, in particular within the last forty years. In this time frame the world has passed from theories to actually cloning genes. Subsequently, The University of Utah Health Sciences did a study on the history of cloning: Mitalipov and colleagues were the first to use somatic cell nuclear transfer to create a human embryo. …In this experiment, researchers took a skin cell from a patient and fused it with a donated egg cell. Key to the success of the experiment was the modification to the culture liquid in which the procedure was done and to the series of electrical pulses used to stimulate the egg to begin its division. Following the cloning controversy of 2004–2005, in which South Korean scientists falsely claimed to have used somatic cell nuclear transfer to create embryonic stem cell lines, the scientific community demanded much stronger evidence that the procedure had actually been successful. (Learn. Genetics) Subsequently, many states in the US began to prohibit the use of therapeutic and reproductive cloning. Regardless, cloning should be decriminalized, with the stipulation that serious regulations be put into place. People, often too caught in the moral implications of cloning never take the time to learn the scientific process. Moral implications are...
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...identical humans. This cloning is possible via either ‘‘embryo splitting’’ or ‘‘nuclear transfer’’. Embryo splitting involves the separation of an early human embryo into two or more parts. Each of these parts has the potential to develop into a blastocyst (late embryo), which, if implanted, can develop into a child. This is how genetically identical monozygotic twins are created. Artificial embryo splitting has been successfully implemented in various mammals including sheep (Willadsen, 1981), cows (Willadsen, 1989), mice (Agrawal and Polge, 1989) and monkeys (Chan et al., 2000), but has been performed only to the pre-implantation stages in humans (Hall et al., 1993). Recently the American Society for Reproductive Medicine declared that human cloning by artificial embryo splitting was an ethical procedure to increase the number of implantable human blastocysts used in certain infertility treatments (ASRM, 2000). However, embryo splitting can produce only a limited number of cloned individuals as the early embryo can be separated only a limited number of times, and the procedure is not able to produce a ‘‘clone’’ of an adult that already exists. The other method for producing cloned humans, nuclear transfer, does not suffer from these limitations, and the rest of this article will focus on human cloning achieved via this technique. Nuclear transfer (or more specifically somatic cell nuclear transfer) is a conceptually simple procedure. The J. A. Byrne ¡ J. B. Gurdon ( ) Wellcome...
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...a number of different processes that can be used to produce genetically identical copies of a biological entity (Fact). The copied material, which has the same genetic makeup as the original, is referred to as a clone (MedlinePlus). I personally think that cloning is wrong for various reasons. In this essay, I will go into detail about cloning and why it is wrong from a moral standpoint. There are two types of cloning where you can make exact genetic copies, artificial embryo twinning and somatic cell nuclear transfer. Artificial embryo twinning is when the sperm cell is split in two inside of a petri dish creating two individual sperm (What). When placed in a surrogate mother, the two sperm cells develop into two identical organisms (What). Somatic cell nuclear transfer is when a somatic cell is isolated from an adult female organism, and then the nucleus and all of its DNA is removed from an egg cell (What). That DNA and nucleus is replaced by the nucleus from the somatic cell (What). This creates a freshly fertilized egg which develops into an embryo and is placed inside of a surrogate mother(What). I think cloning is bad for a few main reasons. Scientists have observed that most cloned organisms are born with defects and...
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...gene. All of these applications require many copies of the DNA molecule that is being studied. Gene cloning also enables scientists to manipulate and study genes in isolation from the organism they came from. This allows researchers to conduct many experiments that would be impossible without cloned genes. For research on humans, this is clearly a major advantage, as direct experimentation on humans has many technical, financial, and ethical limitations. Importance for Medicine and Industry The ability to clone a gene is not only valuable for conducting biological research. Many important pharmaceutical drugs and industrial enzymes are produced from cloned genes. For example, insulin, clotting factors, human growth hormone, cytokines (cell growth stimulants), and several anticancer drugs in use are produced from cloned genes. Before the advent of gene cloning, these proteins had to be purified from their natural tissue sources, a difficult, expensive, and inefficient process. Using recombinant methods, biomedical companies can prepare these...
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...| | | | | | | | | | | | |PETER NJERU KARUANA | |C01/12400/2006 | | | | | | ...
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...A Pluripotent Challenge Recent advances in human stem cell research have generated enormous enthusiasm on the part of researchers and optimistic predictions of revolutionary advances in biomedicine. These same advances have also sparked considerable ethical debate. The main ethical challenges associated with stem cell research have to do with the source of those cells. Although some advances have been made in the use of adult stem cells, the consensus seems to be that the most promising categories of stem cells are embryonic stem (ES) cells (derived from the five- to seven-day-old embryos known as blastocysts) and embryonic germ (EG) cells, derived from immature aborted fetuses. In fact, there are four main sources of (non-adult) stem cells, and each presents its own challenging ethical issues. The first such source (of ES cells) is the surplus embryos that are a by-product of the activities of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) labs. One ethical concern here has to do with the status of the embryo itself. The degree of respect that ought to be granted to a human embryo is highly controversial. Some hold that the embryo - genetically human and a potential person - deserves our full respect and protection. Others hold that while the embryo may be genetically human, it has (particularly at early stages) none of the characteristics of persons. It is not conscious; it is not self-aware. It is a cluster of cells with no independent ethical status. Still others hold an in-between view, arguing...
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...Megan Davis 9/30/12 HLT 305 Professor Edwards Future World Everything about the world and society is constantly changing. New discoveries are still being made whether it is geographically or scientifically. While there is less confusion about the edges of the planet and even the universe, there is more to worry about in the healthcare world. New medicines are being made, new surgical techniques are being performed, and incurable diseases are coming closer to an end. Things such as cloning were looked at as something that would happen hundreds of years from now and yet “the first mammal, Dolly the sheep, was cloned in 1997” (Munson 2008). It will still be a long time before humans are cloned, but it is clear that we are discovering new technology at a much faster rate than expected. The human genome can be used to eradicate disease in many different ways now that “the most significant discovery in the history of mankind” (Lecture Notes) is complete. With this incredible resource, genes can be repaired or altered so that a person can avoid developing a particular disease in the future. Although “gene therapy is still in the experimental stages,” (Lecture Notes) I think that this is something that is going to become very viable by 2100. This could completely change the world of medicine. If successful, genes could be changed so that a person will not get Alzheimer’s or diabetes. The possibilities would be endless and that would change the life expectancy of our...
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...occurring in Japan that resulted in a mouse being cloned from nothing but a drop of blood (2013, June 28). It doesn't stop there though. There are studies and experiments being done in cloning stem cells, blood and even organs; it's a very wide field to dive into. So, pop quiz here. What blood type is in high demand and very low in supply? All of them! Despite all of the medical advances the world needs so much more help with supply and demand. Now, what if one single blood cell could be taken and cloning could provide an unlimited amount of blood for any required transfusions? No need for donors, no risk of getting the wrong blood type. This may be closer than anyone thinks as red blood cells have already been produced by scientists at Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, Massachusetts, the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota from stem cells (2008, August 19). They reported that the cloned blood cells acted just like natural blood cells and there's possibility of producing them on a large scale. Take it another step forward. Someone doesn't need blood-they need an organ. There are thousands of people in the US alone on waiting lists for organs and not enough donors. Organs unfortunately are much more complicated then blood cells; but again it might not be so far away in cloning. One invention reaching popularity recently is 3D printers, so what if one were to use human...
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...I begin, I feel it necessary to clear up a misunderstood word that may be the reason why people view certain aspects of cloning the way that they do. I will give this particular word a complete unbias by using a scientific definition instead of using my own words. The term that a person should know to truly understand the perspectives being compared is the word: Embryo. According to The Encyclopedia Britannica, an embryo is, “the unborn child until the end of the seventh week following conception; from the eighth week the unborn child is called a fetus”(Encyclopedia Britannica; “embryo.”). The embryos that are being used for cloning are only during the first stage of cell division, and during this stage the embryos are called blastulas. In normal sexual reproduction, a blastula is a clump of undifferentiated cells that are traveling down the fallopian tube in between the stages of conception and the implantation into the uterine wall. This stage lasts between 4 and 6 days on average. The definition is as...
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...Assignment 1: Biology Article Cinthya Jacobo Professor: Dr. Francie Coblentz Introduction to Biology: SCI115 11/08/2015 The article “Therapeutic Cloning, and stem cell Research” by Gena Smith is about how we can extract stem cells from replicated human embryos and use them for medical and therapeutic purposes. The stems cells are perfect because they are what the article calls “master cells” which with the help of science, can be manipulated to become anything from brain cells to kidney cells. The article also revolves around the amount of controversy over the issue of cloning. The article mostly reviews the medical side of cloning rather than the reproduction side which can one day lead to the cloning of individual people. The article has high hopes for the potential use of cloning stating that “Down the road, scientists believe it will be possible to create complicated structures such as blood vessels, liver tissue, and whole kidneys. In fact, ACT scientists have already succeeded in building tiny cow kidneys that could be used for kidney transplants. It isn't hard to envision, Lanza says, a future where pretty much any kind of organ or tissue could be engineered to replace those damaged by age, injury, or disease.” Overall, this new study of cloning could help clone new body tissues which can help regulate, maintain and potentially replace importance body organs that could then lead to the salvation of millions of lives. According to an article by Norwegian University...
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...Is cloning the new method to treat human beings in the future? Recently, there has been an argument about cloning a human being. When it comes to cloning, people seem to want it both ways: "no" to reproductive cloning on moral grounds and "yes" to therapeutic cloning on scientific grounds. But, which one is the right decision? Human therapeutic cloning helps the ill to recover more efficiently. Therapeutic cloning helps recreate cells and tissues for better health. The Advanced Cell Technology say: ?therapeutic cloning is cloning for the possibility of recreating young cells and tissues potentially of any kind, genetically identical to the person who needs them, to replace worn out cells and tissues? This therapy would help patients with Parkinson?s disease and spinal cord injury, heart muscle cells for heart failure, cartilage for arthritis, pancreatic cells for diabetes, as well as many others. Cells are obtained from embryos during women first stage of fertilization. This is one problem that part of society is concern about. They think this act is against moral grounds. Politicians are very concerned with this new therapy method too. They rail against the scientists and try to prohibit a whole tide of research. But such social and political responses ignore the dynamism of medical science -- its complexity and possibility. At this point, society and politicians have asked many questions to this new issue. Are women allowed to do this? Should there be a...
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...Stem Cell Research Over the past few years’ scientists have been trying to find new cures for many different diseases and to recreate human organs. They have come up with a new technique to cure different diseases. One method they have tried is by using stem cells mostly from unborn babies. While many agree with this method of treatment, I do not. Using stem cells from unborn babies is just unethical. For one, we should not alter human life, let alone take it away from them. Taking cells from aborted, unborn babies is just a chilling thought. The fact that they are taking cells from the babies to inject into an older human is just not right. Humans should not be trying to play God by trying to recreate human organs. No one has the right to try to recreate the beautiful works of God called humans. We have no right trying to mimic what He did thousands of years ago. Also, many people believe that in the future stem cells can lead to knowledge on cloning humans. Even though this statement may not be true, it is still a scary thought that one day there could be two of you walking to work. I for one am completely against the use of stem cells in medical use. It is just inhumane and unethical. I would score this essay at a six. I clearly stated my opinion and I had a few reasons to justify my opinion. I would not give it an eight or nine because it lacks a strong conclusion. I also didn’t use very many transitional words. Also there are very few grammar errors....
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...you have chosen. When an animal is cloned, it alters their immune system somehow and where they do not get sick as often and they become parasite resistant so you spend less money on veterinary visits. Another important reason why cloning is in the livestock industry is for strict breeding purposes so the cloned animals can breed and produce animals for meat purposes. Cloning has been part of our world for over three or four decades. Hans Dreisch performed the first successful reported case of cloning in 1894, which he cloned a sea urchin by isolating blastomeres. In 1902, Dr. Hans Spemann split the embryo using a strand of hair from his newborn son, and the resulting cells grew into normal adult salamanders. 1928 Dr, Spemann was at it again by conducting the first ever conducted nuclear transfer. This proved that the nucleus of an early...
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...over the ethics of cloning began. In particular, reproductive cloning was widely discussed because it could possibly be accomplished through somatic cell nuclear transfer to clone entire humans (“Cloning Fact Sheet”). For medical, social, religious, and political reasons, there are both proponents and opponents of reproductive human cloning and its ethics. Currently, the best way to deal with reproductive cloning is to ban its use because there are many negative consequences that could arise from using cloning technology. There are two different types of human cloning: therapeutic cloning and reproductive cloning. The goal of the former is to obtain stem cells from embryos that can be used to study the growth of the human body and to find possible cures and treatments for various diseases (“Cloning Fact Sheet”). The purpose of the latter, on the other hand, is to create a whole human being through cloning. Specifically, reproductive cloning is done using somatic cell nuclear transfer and can theoretically produce a human that has the same exact nuclear DNA as another individual. Currently, though, this technology has only been used to clone animals and has not yet been successful in cloning humans (“Cloning Fact Sheet”). The process constituting somatic cell nuclear transfer begins with the extraction of nuclear genetic material from the cell of an adult donor. Then an egg is deprived of its nucleus, and the DNA taken from the...
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...first heard of cloning when Dolly the Sheep showed up on the scene in 1997. Cloning technologies have been around for much longer than Dolly, though.How does one go about making an exact genetic copy of an organism? There are a couple of ways to do this: artificial embryo twinning and somatic cell nuclear transfer. How do these processes differ?1. Artificial Embryo TwinningArtificial embryo twinning is the relatively low-tech version of cloning. As the name suggests, this technology mimics the natural process of creating identical twins.Open large version In nature, twins occur just after fertilization of an egg cell by a sperm cell. In rare cases, when the resulting fertilized egg, called a zygote, tries to divide into a two-celled embryo, the two cells separate. Each cell continues dividing on its own, ultimately developing into a separate individual within the mother. Since the two cells came from the same zygote, the resulting individuals are genetically identical.Artificial embryo twinning uses the same approach, but it occurs in a Petri dish instead of in the mother's body. This is accomplished by manually separating a very early embryo into individual cells, and then allowing each cell to divide and develop on its own....
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