Cloning

Artificial cloning is the process of using a single cell from an organism and its genetic information to produce an identical duplicate organism. The procedure relies on asexual reproduction, thus assuring that the new organism is genetically identical to its single “parent” cell, and not a merging of two sets of genetic information (as in sexual reproduction). While the process of cloning occurs naturally and is essential for life, for example among many plants, the concept and practice of artificial cloning has become of considerable interest and controversy as modern technology has made it possible to clone larger animals and potentially even people. The ability to clone cells of nearly all living creatures in embryo form has become a mature form of technology that may ...