Future of Cloning
Nuclear transfer, cloning and stem cell research contribute greatly to the future of bioresearch. There has been an almost unimaginable progress in this area.
� Many companies are looking to produce genetically enhanced livestock.
� Genetically valuable animals may be cloned if reproduction fails.
� Endangered species may be cloned for their survival.
� Service animals such as rescue dogs or even pets may be cloned.
� Duplicate a child who is dying of terminal illness. Dr. Colin Stewart, a research scientist, said that one could produce an almost exact replica of a healthy child, with the physical resemblance of the child.
� Could we clone ourselves and manipulate the genes of the clone to make improvements in himself?
Dr. Stewart said that it is still unknown what the genes are that give us our personality and characteristics.
� Could people be cloned only for the purpose of harvesting their organs?
Dr. Stewart said that it would be completely ethical to clone people just for their organs as they would still be individuals. However, to treat people with severe burns, Harvard University already has progress in growing skin in culture dishes to treat them.
� Can we clone people against their will or without their knowledge, by getting their DNA?
Dr. Steward said that it would be possible if you asked someone for a sample of their blood, but you would still need all the apparatus, machines and technology to perform the experiment, which would not be easy.
The progress in this field has far surpassed our imagination.
Being able to reprogram DNA in cells might be the century�s most outstanding biological achievement.
Acknowledgement
Lazaron BioTechnologies LLC. ([email protected]). �Clones and the Future of Cloning.� Louisiana Business & Technology Center. [Online]. Available: http://www.lazaron.com/lazaronllc/clonandfutof.html#cloning%20today. [June 24, 2002].