Cloning

Cloning is the process of making identical copies of an organism, cell, or DNA sequence.
Molecular cloning is a process by which scientists amplify a desired DNA sequence. The
target sequence is isolated, inserted into another DNA molecule (known as a vector), and
introduced into a suitable host cell. Then, each time the host cell divides, it replicates the
foreign DNA sequence along with its own DNA. Cloning also can refer to asexual
reproduction.
Human clones exist naturally. Identical twins
There are three different types of cloning:
- Gene cloning, which creates copies of genes or segments of DNA
- Reproductive cloning, which creates copies of whole animals
- Therapeutic cloning, which creates embryonic stem cells. Researchers hope to
use these cells to grow healthy tissue to replace injured or diseased tissues in the
human body.
Why cloning:
- Reproduction
- Reviving endangered species
- stem cells for organ donations
The development of cloning technology has led to new ways to produce medicines and is
improving our understanding of development and genetics.
Cloning animal - Dolly the Sheep
The first artically cloned animal was Dolly the Sheep.

Dolly the Sheep was the first mammal to be artificially cloned and was born in 1996 in
England and died in 2003. She was produced at the Roslin Institute as part of research into
producing medicines in the milk of farm animals. Researchers have managed to transfer
human genes that produce useful proteins into sheep and cows, so that they can produce,
for instance, the blood clotting agent factor IX to treat haemophilia or alpha-1-antitrypsin to
treat cystic fibrosis and other lung conditions. Inserting these genes into animals is a difficult
and laborious process; cloning allows researchers to only do this once and clone the
resulting transgenic animal to build up a breeding stock.
Ethical Issues
Animal cloning raises ethical issues about how far humans should be allowed to interfere in
the production of new life. Regulations currently restrict scientific research into human
cloning.
Cloning plants is easier than cloning animals. Cloning expensive food crops has been carried
out for many years. This causes the public fewer ethical and moral concerns than animal
cloning.

Cloning plants
- Spider plants grow new plants, called plantlets, on their stems
- Potato plants produce tubers (the part we eat), which can grow new roots and
shoots
- Strawberry plants grow stems called runners, which have plantlets on them
Cuttings
The simplest way to clone a plant involves taking a cutting. A branch from the parent plant
is cut off, its lower leaves removed and the stem planted in damp compost. Plant hormones
are often used to encourage new roots to develop. The cutting is usually covered in a clear
plastic bag at this stage to keep it moist and warm. After a few weeks, new roots develop
and a new plant is produced. The method is easy enough for most gardeners to do
successfully.
Advantages and disadvantages
Cloning allows growers to mass produce plants that may be difficult to grow from seed. All
the plants are genetically identical, which is useful because you can be sure of their
characteristics. On the other hand, the lack of genetic variation means that if the plants

become exposed to disease or to changes in environmental conditions, all of them will be

affected.
REFERENCES/ CREDITS
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary=cloning
http://www.animalresearch.info/en/medical-advances/diseases-research/cystic-fibrosis/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cloning.html
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cloning/whyclone/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_gateway/living_growing/cloningre
v1.shtml
Roles
Basil - Researcher + Video editor
Ernest - Researcher + Video editor
Linus - Researcher + Video editor + Script writer
Adrian - Researcher + Video editor + Voice
Video plan:
Introduction - Why, How
How to clone an animal - Dolly the sheep
Cloning Plant - Spider plants, Potato plants, Strawberry plants
Advantages and Disadvantages of cloning
Credit
Roles
Script
Introduction
In recent times, one of the many areas of research that scientists are looking into is cloning.
Cloning is the process of making identical copies of an organism, cell, or DNA sequence.
Even now, scientists are still finding new ways to improve the practicality of cloning,
although cloning animals is less common, new advances in research in organ transplants are
constantly being made.
How to clone an animal - Dolly the sheep (Linus)
Dolly the Sheep was the first mammal to be artificially cloned and was born in 1996 in
England and died in 2003. Researchers have managed to transfer human genes that
produce useful proteins into sheep and cows, so that they can produce, for instance, the
blood clotting agent factor IX to treat haemophilia or antitrypsin to treat cystic fibrosis and
other lung conditions. Inserting these genes into animals is a difficult and laborious process;
cloning allows researchers to only do this once and clone the resulting transgenic animal to
build up a breeding stock.

Cloning Plant - Spider plants, Potato plants, Strawberry plants

Cloning a plant is simpler. The simplest way to clone a plant involves taking a cutting. A
branch from the parent plant is cut off, its lower leaves removed and then the stem planted
in damp compost. Plant hormones are often used to help new roots to develop. The cutting
is usually covered in a clear plastic bag at this stage to keep it moist and warm. After a few
weeks, new roots develop and a new plant is produced. The method is easy enough for most
gardeners to do successfully.
Advantages and Disadvantages of cloning
Cloning allows growers to mass produce plants and animals that may be difficult to grow
from seeds or breed and reproduce quickly . All the plants are genetically identical, which
means they have the desired characteristics. On the other hand, the lack of genetic variation
means that if the plants become exposed to disease or to changes in environmental
conditions, all of them will be affected and this will lead to less variation, and less
opportunity to create new varieties in the future.
Credits
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary=cloning
http://www.animalresearch.info/en/medical-advances/diseases-research/cystic-fibrosis/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cloning.html
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cloning/whyclone/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_gateway/living_growing/cloningre
v1.shtml

Basil - Researcher + Video editor

Ernest - Researcher + Video editor
Linus - Researcher + Video editor + Script writer
Adrian - Researcher + Video editor + Voice
The end DA DA !