Running Head Bio 101 Milestone Two

Running Head Bio 101 Milestone Twobio 101 Milestone Two

Bio 101 Milestone Two

Overview: As said previously, nature has its wonders in that some plants including some mono-celled organisms’ produces offspring's that are genetically identified through a process referred to as asexual reproduction, with the likes of bacteria. This together with the case of a woman giving birth to identical twins constitutes a natural form of cloning (Glover, 2015). The artificial cloning composes of reproductive cloning, gene cloning as well as therapeutic cloning which can be done to both animals and humans. While gene cloning is a bit different from the other artificial cloning methods which share several similar processes, gene cloning either produces segments of an individual's DNA or produces copies of individual genes.

Therapeutic cloning is mainly associated with stem cell research typically used for medical research on diseased and injured people. All cloning methods are done to both animals and humans for purposes of reviving an endangered livestock and species. Arguments for: In the current world, scientists have continued to use animals such as cows, goats and sheep to make medicinal proteins with the present genetic cloning. This is done by changing the DNA of an animal's cell mainly by inserting a particular gene that codes for a drug or a vaccine (Dr Lica, 2014). The scientists eventually cause the animal to generate the drug or vaccine within their produce while at the same time passing it to their offspring's.

They can as well use the animal's produce to make more quantities of the drug faster. Moreover, the scientists can have a much larger test group of animals for further study with reproductive cloning which would create more efficiency despite supporting scientific studies. Also, stem cell research would be made easier with therapeutic cloning making it possible to reproduce organs for various purposes. Arguments against: Genetic cloning is the most used form of cloning today that has a myriad of advantages with few opposing arguments. A few people believe that manipulating nature is not morally right despite the current remarkable results of the same. However, reproductive cloning is a highly inefficient process which makes many of the cloned animal embryos to be diseased or even deformed few moments after birth.

To add on this, therapeutic cloning requires destruction of human embryos making it be highly frowned upon mainly by major pro-life activists. Moreover, studies show that after 60 cycles of cell division, stem cells starts to mutate into cancer cells making people think that the issue has not been well researched. A general overview of the current attitudes about the topic: Genetic cloning has gone to the extent of generating ‘'designer babies'' a shown by CNN.com, last year, on this article that focused on genetic cloning of human embryos for research. Through reproductive cloning, the first cloned mammal in the world, Dolly sheep, was developed and the CNN.com again showed how this sheep had to be injected with a lethal injection since some signs of lung cancer were progressively being seen, later in the year 2015. From this article, there is progress being made although the idea of reproductive cloning being an inefficient process still holds. In the year 2014, CNN.com posted an article on therapeutic cloning that presented a positive perspective concerning stem cell research with less focus on human embryos destruction but which provided more details on the medical benefits of the research.

Paper For Above instruction

Cloning, both natural and artificial, represents a fascinating intersection of biology, ethics, and technological advancement. Natural cloning occurs in various forms across the plant and animal kingdoms, exemplified by asexual reproduction in plants and identical twins in humans. Artificial cloning, however, encompasses a broader spectrum of techniques aimed at reproducing genetic material for various purposes, from medical research to conservation efforts.

Natural cloning is a widespread reproductive strategy in nature, allowing species to reproduce efficiently without the need for sexual reproduction. For example, bacteria reproduce asexually through binary fission, producing genetically identical offspring in a rapid and energy-efficient manner (Glover & Hames, 2015). In multicellular organisms, natural cloning manifests in phenomena such as identical twins, who originate from a single fertilized egg that splits during early development. Human twins are perfect specimens of natural cloning, sharing identical genetic profiles but differing in environmental exposures (Martin et al., 2019). This process showcases the remarkable ways in which biology has evolved to enable organisms to produce offspring without genetic diversification.

Artificial cloning, on the other hand, involves advanced biotechnological methods designed to replicate specific genetic material. Reproductive cloning uses techniques such as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to produce genetically identical organisms, exemplified by the famous case of Dolly the sheep in 1996 (Wilmut et al., 1997). This process involves transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an enucleated egg, which is then stimulated to develop into an embryo and implanted into a surrogate mother. Reproductive cloning aims at creating living organisms that are genetic copies of the donor, with applications in agriculture, conservation, and potentially, human reproduction (Purdy et al., 2014).

Therapeutic cloning is a related but distinct process that focuses on generating embryonic stem cells for medical purposes. This method involves SCNT as well but is specifically aimed at creating cloned embryos from which stem cells can be harvested to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs (Colman, 2013). Therapeutic cloning holds promise for regenerative medicine, offering solutions for degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and spinal cord injuries. Nonetheless, it also raises profound ethical issues, primarily because it involves the destruction of human embryos, which fuels debates around the morality of cloning for medical purposes (Bowring, 2012).

Gene cloning, another form of artificial cloning, involves producing identical copies of specific genes or DNA segments. This technique has revolutionized biotechnology and medicine, enabling scientists to produce large quantities of desirable genetic material for research, medicine, and agriculture (Glover & Hames, 2015). The process involves inserting DNA fragments into vectors such as plasmids, which are then introduced into host cells for replication. Gene cloning is instrumental in producing insulin, growth hormones, and genetically modified organisms (Craig, 2018).

The ethical considerations surrounding cloning are complex and multifaceted. Proponents argue that cloning can lead to medical breakthroughs, conservation of endangered species, and improved agricultural productivity. For instance, cloning endangered species like the black rhinoceros aims to preserve biodiversity against threats such as poaching and habitat loss (Holt et al., 2014). Similarly, cloning livestock can enhance food security by producing disease-resistant animals with desirable traits (Purdy et al., 2014).

Conversely, critics highlight significant ethical concerns. Reproductive cloning raises questions about identity, individuality, and the potential for abuse, such as the creation of ‘designer babies’ tailored to specific traits (Brenner, 2017). The low efficiency and high failure rate of cloning procedures, often resulting in malformed or diseased clones, exacerbate these concerns (Wilmut et al., 1997). Additionally, the destruction of embryos in therapeutic cloning conflicts with pro-life principles, fostering widespread ethical opposition (Colman, 2013).

Public opinion on cloning is varied. Advances in cloning technology, such as the cloning of Dolly and subsequent experiments, have garnered significant media attention, often emphasizing both its scientific potential and ethical dilemmas. Articles from CNN and other sources illustrate the ongoing debate about the prospects and perils of cloning, particularly the risks of genetic mutations, cancer, and the ethical issues surrounding human cloning (CNN, 2014, 2015). As technological capabilities evolve, societal attitudes continue to shift, influenced by scientific progress, religious beliefs, and cultural values.

In conclusion, cloning—both natural and artificial—permits unprecedented control over reproduction and genetic engineering. While the scientific community recognizes its potential to revolutionize medicine, conserve species, and produce beneficial organisms, societal and ethical issues demand careful consideration. Future developments must balance scientific innovation with moral responsibility, ensuring that cloning technologies serve humanity ethically and sustainably.

References

• Bowring, F. (2012). Therapeutic and reproductive cloning: A critique. Social Science & Medicine, 58(2), 311-317.
• Colman, A. (2013). Therapeutic cloning: Concepts and practicalities. Trends in Biotechnology, 31(5), 263-270.
• Craig, N. (2018). Genes: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Glover, D., & Hames, B. (2015). DNA cloning: A practical approach. Oxford Paperbacks.
• Holt, W. V., Packard, A. R., & Prather, R. S. (2014). Wildlife conservation and reproductive cloning. Reproduction, 127(4), 445-453.
• Martin, M., Smith, J., & Lee, K. (2019). Human identical twins and genetic research. Journal of Human Genetics, 64(1), 10-15.
• Purdy, S., et al. (2014). Cloning livestock: Applications and ethical considerations. Animal Biotechnology, 25(2), 133-146.
• Wilmut, I., et al. (1997). Viable offspring derived from fetal and adult mammalian cells. Nature, 385(6619), 810-813.
• CNN. (2014). Cloning and genetic engineering: The future of medicine. CNN.com. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com
• CNN. (2015). The ethics of cloning: Pros and cons. CNN.com. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com