Cloning

Cloning
Cloning is the process of producing genetically similar populations to create copies of DNA fragments, cells, or full organisms. Cloning is important for several different reasons, such as medical purposes, among other things. Much of what scientists find about diseases come from studying lab mice. These mice are genetically engineered to carry mutations in their genes making them prime subjects for study. The manufacturing of these specific mice is extremely taxing and time consuming that involves a very meticulous process of trial and error. Cloning these mice may reduce the time needed to make a transgenic specimen and result in a larger population of genetically similar animals for study. Also another medical benefit to perfecting cloning is the ability to clone stem cells. Since these particular cells are the building block to human life and are repairing the body throughout life, having abundance for study and reparation of damaged tissue or organs is essential to the treatment of diseases. Researchers are searching for a way to create genetically defined human stem cells for this exact purpose. Another benefit of cloning is “pharming” for the production of drugs. Farm animals such as cows, sheep or goats are currently being used by pharmaceutical companies to produce drugs or proteins that are extremely useful in medicines. Similar to laboratory mice, the livestock is being genetically modified to suit the purpose of the companies, which also is painstaking and time consuming. With the advent of cloning technology, it may be possible to manufacture a large population of genetically similar animals with the purpose of creating drugs and medicine that benefit society and humans.
In the University of Hawaii, scientists, Teruhiko Wakayama and Ryuzo Yanahimachi, produced the Honolulu Technique of cloning and produced male mice clones. Before this advancement all clones produced at the University were female, produced from cells related to the female...