The term?cloning?describes a number of different processes ?that can be used to produce genetically identical co

The term cloning describes a number of different processes  that can be used to produce genetically identical copies of a biological  unit.  The copied material, which has the same genetic makeup as the  original, is referred to as a clone.  A number of different biological  entities have been cloned, from the smallest section of a single gene,  through to tissues, organs and even entire animals.

More than  twenty years have passed since 1996 when Dolly the sheep was the first  mammal to be created from an adult cell using a technique called  ‘somatic cell nuclear transfer’.  This process is still of great  interest to science and medicine today since it is believed to be the  key to therapeutic cloning and improved organ transplantation.

For  your discussion this week briefly describe (one or two paragraphs) the  process of somatic cell nuclear transfer and how it is used to create  cloned cells.

Explain what you consider to be the positive  and negative aspects of cloning both scientifically and morally, giving  at least three ‘for’ and three ‘against’ points – Discuss whether you  think it is a good use of science and will benefit mankind or whether  you believe it is unethical and should no longer be pursued?  You can  expand this discussion outside of therapeutic cloning if you wish and  consider the idea that one day it may also be possible to clone whole  human beings.

255 – 300 words