Cloning is the process of making an organism, cell, or piece of DNA that is genetically the same as another one. In other words, the “copy” has essentially the same genetic information as the original.
Basic idea
Cloning can happen naturally, such as when bacteria divide and produce genetically identical offspring. It can also be done artificially in labs to copy DNA, cells, or whole animals for research, medicine, or agriculture.
Main types of cloning
- Gene (molecular) cloning: Making many copies of a specific DNA segment or gene to study or use in biotechnology.
- Reproductive cloning: Creating a whole animal that is almost genetically identical to another, as was done with the sheep Dolly.
- Therapeutic cloning: Making cloned embryos to produce stem cells that might one day be used to replace damaged tissues.
Why cloning matters
Cloning is used to study genes and diseases, develop medicines, and potentially help conserve endangered species. At the same time, it raises ethical questions, especially around the idea of cloning humans or using cloned embryos in research.
