Cloning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Cloning - Essay Example Thomas, years ago, knew that science would come to a point where the impossible is indeed achieved. The question which he asks, but to which there is no hard and fast answer, is, â€Å"is it ethical†? The possibility of human cloning was raised when Scottish scientists at Roslin Institute created the much-celebrated sheep "Dolly" (Lauritzen 57-64). Dolly aroused worldwide interest and concern because of the scientific and ethical implications in creating her. The feat, cited by Science 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. (Murray, 41) 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. (Murray, 41) The following three types of cloning technologies are the most progressive: (1) recombinant DNA technology or DNA cloning, (2) reproductive cloning, and (3) therapeutic cloning. The terms "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 as a bacterial plasmid. (Kass 89-100) 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