Essay On Cloning

Cloning involves the process of producing a cell, tissue, or even a complete organism from a single cell. The DNA sequence is replicated from the original biological unit. There are two types of cloning, natural and somatic cell transfer. Cloning of plants or bacteria is natural. Plants have been duplicated for many years by replicating itself and growing. Bacteria are cloned through the process of mitosis, division of a single cell. Somatic cell transfer cloning is completed when cells are copied and transferred. Genes maintain genetic codes that hold our inherited information. Gene mapping is used to establish order.

Cloning has occurred for many years, created initially in the late 1855 by Hans Dreisch. This began as a way to prove genetic material continues to remain when divided. Dreisch completed his research using sea urchin embryos. In 1902, Hans Spemman used his son’s hair to divide a salamander embryo, later separating it into 16 cells. He proved that genetic material was not lost during these divisions which allowed this cell to develop into identical salamanders. In 1951, a frog embryo was cloned by Robert Briggs and Thomas King. This was completed by removing the center of a cell with a glass pipette from a tadpole embryo cell and replacing it in another unfertilized frog egg. This cell divided and grew using a nuclear transplant, which is the process scientist continue to use today. Since Briggs and King’s success, nuclear transfers have been completed with a rabbit, a sheep, two calves, lambs, a monkey, and mice. In 2001, scientists began to consider cloning for those unable to have children.

For many years, nature has cloned organisms. When a plant sends out a stalk and it takes root, the new ...

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...unique characteristics, and species as well as selecting and making comparative maps. Genetic markers are techniques used in psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins Epidemiology-Genetic Program to locate risk genes for schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. The National Library of Medicine has completed gene mapping with tomatoes by showing 12 pairs of chromosomes and assigning different colors to show the linking.

Cloning and gene mapping are two very important things. The research completed provided an understanding and new awareness. Although many people disagree on cloning, there are reasons not to disagree with it. While benefits are seen, it is agreeable that there should be a limit on it. Gene mapping is not as much of a big deal as cloning appears, and looks as if it is supported. Both of these topics are very important and more research should be done with it.