Human cloning refers to the creation of replicas or identical copies of human through genetic engineering techniques. Human cloning was a popular theme in science fiction literature but technological progress has made possible the clonation of species. Scientists have already managed to successfully clone plants and animals and in theory using similar technologies they could also create copies of humans. There are two processes through which humans could be in theory cloned:
Somatic cell nuclear transfer: This technique consists of removing the genetic material from a host egg cell, and then implanting the nucleus of a somatic cell (from a donnor) into this egg. The somatic cell genetic material is fused using electricity. This was the technique employed to clone the famous sheep Dolly in 1996.
Induced pluripotent stem cells: This approach relies on adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed. A specific set of genes, usually referred to as "reprogramming factors", are introduced into a specific adult cell type. These factors send signals in the adult cell transforming it into a pluripotent stem cell. This technique is still in development and entails some problems but it has already been employed with mice.
The impact that human cloning could have on our societies and future populations have made this topic extremely controversial. Although there are many pros in terms of innovation, reproduction and health, there are also several drawbacks from the ethical and legal perspective. Many countries such as the Australia, Canada, and the United Nations have already passed laws to ban human cloning. However, the issues is far from being settled. Many voices are arguing in favor of human cloning and others are stauch opponents to the legalization of this practice.
Human cloning refers to the creation of replicas or identical copies of human through genetic engineering techniques. Human cloning was a popular theme in science fiction literature but technological progress has made possible the clonation of species. Scientists have already managed to successfully clone plants and animals and in theory using similar technologies they could also create copies of humans. There are two processes through which humans could be in theory cloned:Somatic cell nuclear transfer: This technique consists of removing the genetic material from a host egg cell, and then implanting the nucleus of a somatic cell (from a donnor) into this egg. The somatic cell genetic material is fused using electricity. This was the technique employed to clone the famous sheep Dolly in 1996. Induced pluripotent stem cells: This approach relies on adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed. A specific set of genes, usually referred to as "reprogramming factors", are introduced into a specific adult cell type. These factors send signals in the adult cell transforming it into a pluripotent stem cell. This technique is still in development and entails some problems but it has already been employed with mice. The impact that human cloning could have on our societies and future populations have made this topic extremely controversial. Although there are many pros in terms of innovation, reproduction and health, there are also several drawbacks from the ethical and legal perspective. Many countries such as the Australia, Canada, and the United Nations have already passed laws to ban human cloning. However, the issues is far from being settled. Many voices are arguing in favor of human cloning and others are stauch opponents to the legalization of this practice.
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