cloning :: essays research papers

IntroductionThe possibility of human copy, raised when Scottish scientists at Roslin Institute created the much-celebrated sheep Dolly (Nature 385, 810-13, 1997), aro utilize worldwide cheer and absorb because of its scientific and ethical implications. The feat, cited by Science magazine as the breakthrough of 1997, also generated incredulity over the meaning of cloning --an umbrella term traditionally used by scientists to describe contrasting processes for duplicating biological material. What is cloning? Are there disparate types of cloning?When the media report on cloning in the news, they argon usually talking about only one type called reproductive cloning. There be different types of cloning however, and cloning technologies can be used for different purposes besides producing the genetic twin of another organism. A basic understanding of the different types of cloning is key to taking an informed stance on current public policy issues and making the best possible pe rsonal decisions. The following third types of cloning technologies will be discussed (1) recombinant DNA technology or DNA cloning, (2) reproductive cloning, and (3) therapeutic cloning. Recombinant DNA Technology or DNA Cloning The damage recombinant DNA technology, DNA cloning, molecular cloning,or gene cloning all refer to the same process the transfer of a DNA fragment of interest from one organism to a self-replicating genetic element such(prenominal) as a bacterial plasmid. The DNA of interest can then be propagated in a inappropriate entertain cell. This technology has been around since the 1970s, and it has twist a common practice in molecular biology labs today. Scientists studying a token gene often use bacterial plasmids to generate dual copies of the same gene. Plasmids are self-replicating extra-chromosomal circular DNA molecules, distinct from the normal bacterial genome (see image to the right). Plasmids and other types of cloning vectors are used by Human Geno me look researchers to copy genes and other pieces of chromosomes to generate enough identical material for further study. To clone a gene, a DNA fragment containing the gene of interest is discriminate from chromosomal DNA using restriction enzymes and then united with a plasmid that has been inflict with the same restriction enzymes. When the fragment of chromosomal DNA is conjugate with its cloning vector in the lab, it is called a recombinant DNA molecule. Following introduction into suitable force cells, the recombinant DNA can then be reproduced along with the host cell DNA. See a diagram depicting this process. Plasmids can carry up to 20,000 bp of foreign DNA.cloning essays research papers IntroductionThe possibility of human cloning, raised when Scottish scientists at Roslin Institute created the much-celebrated sheep Dolly (Nature 385, 810-13, 1997), aroused worldwide interest and concern because of its scientific and ethical implications. The feat, cited by Scienc e magazine as the breakthrough of 1997, also generated uncertainty over the meaning of cloning --an umbrella term traditionally used by scientists to describe different processes for duplicating biological material. What is cloning? Are there different types of cloning?When the media report on cloning in the news, they are usually talking about only one type called reproductive cloning. There are different types of cloning however, and cloning technologies can be used for other purposes besides producing the genetic twin of another organism. A basic understanding of the different types of cloning is key to taking an informed stance on current public policy issues and making the best possible personal decisions. The following three types of cloning technologies will be discussed (1) recombinant DNA technology or DNA cloning, (2) reproductive cloning, and (3) therapeutic cloning. Recombinant DNA Technology or DNA Cloning The terms recombinant DNA technology, DNA cloning, molecular clo ning,or gene cloning all refer to the same process the transfer of a DNA fragment of interest from one organism to a self-replicating genetic element such as a bacterial plasmid. The DNA of interest can then be propagated in a foreign host cell. This technology has been around since the 1970s, and it has become a common practice in molecular biology labs today. Scientists studying a particular gene often use bacterial plasmids to generate multiple copies of the same gene. Plasmids are self-replicating extra-chromosomal circular DNA molecules, distinct from the normal bacterial genome (see image to the right). Plasmids and other types of cloning vectors are used by Human Genome Project researchers to copy genes and other pieces of chromosomes to generate enough identical material for further study. To clone a gene, a DNA fragment containing the gene of interest is isolated from chromosomal DNA using restriction enzymes and then united with a plasmid that has been cut with the same re striction enzymes. When the fragment of chromosomal DNA is joined with its cloning vector in the lab, it is called a recombinant DNA molecule. Following introduction into suitable host cells, the recombinant DNA can then be reproduced along with the host cell DNA. See a diagram depicting this process. Plasmids can carry up to 20,000 bp of foreign DNA.