Gene Cloning -Techniques -Ethics -Uses -Consequences

WWhat does the term cloning mean? WWhat is gene cloning? WWhy is gene cloning important? WWhat are some of the ethical considerations regarding gene cloning?

Cloning Cloning in biology is the process of producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce asexually. Cloning in biotechnology refers to processes used to create copies of DNA fragments (molecular cloning), cells (cell cloning)

Process Molecular cloning refers to the process of making multiple copies of a defined DNA sequence. Cloning is frequently used to amplify DNA fragments containing whole genes, but it can also be used to amplify any DNA sequence such as promoters, non-coding sequences and randomly fragmented DNA. It is used in a wide array of biological experiments and practical applications ranging from genetic fingerprinting to large scale protein production.

Gene Cloning Importance Gene Cloning gives an overview of the techniques available to clone genes and how they can be used effectively in both pure and applied research. It covers applications of gene cloning in medicine, both for diagnosis and treatment, and in the pharmaceutical industry and agriculture.

Steps in cloning a Gene h hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/ / /micro10.swf::Steps%20in%20Cloning%20a%20Gene

Is cloning equivalent to "playing God?“ During the last three decades, since the handling of genetic material (molecular cloning) was made possible, hundreds of new questions arose regarding on how ethical it is, and how humane it would be. Some individuals have argued that crossing species boundaries is unnatural, immoral, and in violation of God’s laws. The truth is that molecular cloning is being developed as a tool to improve human health and to ease suffering. However If that tool is in the wrong hands, things might go wrong. The ability of scientists to cure diseases by gene therapy is still experimental, and every day more and more advances are done to achieve that goal. Diseases like diabetes and cancer are at the top of the list. The use of engineered genes to be inserted in human cells to cure diseases is a project with an incredible potential, but the task is hard to achieve yet. In this process if human suffering is diminished and no harm is done to other people, it cannot be considered ethically unacceptable. However, it can be considered unacceptable from the religious perspective. The unacceptability comes from the fact that genetic material is the footprint of the human being itself and handling that material to alter the genetic structure of an individual regardless of the fact that a disease can be cured may be like trying to play God.

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