By: Zack McClanahan & Tyler Evans

What is Cloning?  Cloning is producing the genetic twin of another organism.  It can occur naturally as in birth or in a lab.  There are two types of cloning: Reproductive and therapeutic

Reproductive Cloning  Reproductive cloning is the production of a genetic duplicate of an existing organism. A human clone would be a genetic copy of an existing person  The process is basically taking a lab made embryo and placing into a female mammal similar to the clone  More than 18 clones have been made with this technique  This technique is the most opposed

Therapeutic Cloning  Therapeutic cloning is another phrase for a procedure known as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In this procedure, a researcher extracts the nucleus from an egg. The nucleus holds the genetic material for a human or laboratory animal. Scientists then take a somatic cell, which is any body cell other than an egg or sperm, and also extract the nucleus from this cell. The nucleus that is extracted from the somatic cell in the patient is then inserted into the egg, which had its nucleus previously removed. In a very basic sense, it's a procedure of substitution. The egg now contains the patient's genetic material.  A major benefit of therapeutic cloning is that the cells removed are pluripotent. Pluripotent cells can give rise to all cells in the body with the exception of the embryo.  Therapeutic cloning is also important to enhancing our understanding of stem cells and how they and other cells develop.

Pros of Cloning  There are multiple positive results of cloning:  1. Organ replacement  2.Substitute for natural reproduction  3.Help further genetic research  4. Obtain specific traits in organisms

Cons of Cloning  There is also a negative side to cloning:  1.Detrimental to genetic diversity  2.Invitation to malpractices  3. Will the technology be available to the common man?  4.Man-a man made being

Have We Cloned Before ?  In 1996 we cloned a sheep, the resulting genetic copy was name Dolly.  She died in 2003  She was so famous because this was the first successful cloning to be achieved from an adult cell  Many clones have been created such as :frogs, plants, cows, etc.

Government on Cloning  In 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2007, the House of Representatives voted whether to ban all human cloning, both reproductive and therapeutic  On Mar 10, 2010 a bill (HR 4808) was introduced with a section banning federal funding for human cloning  Thirteen American states (Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia) ban reproductive cloning and three states (Arizona, Maryland, Missouri) prohibit use of public funds for such activities.  There currently are no laws banning cloning