Bioethics

Dolly the Sheep

Dolly was the first sheep cloned from an adult cell. This was previously though to be impossible because the cells were already differentiated.  The process is reversed by depriving the cell of nutrients.  The egg, and DNA were from different sheep, and they were planted in a third sheep who was a surrogate mother.  The egg cell was had its nucleus removed and the DNA from the original "Dolly" implanted in it.  The egg is then given a small shock to stimulate growth.  The cell divides until it is decided if it is viable, at which point it is implanted in a mother.  Dolly was a breakthrough in the field of science, exact copies of animals could easily be created.  Some people were worried though, if we can clone animals whats stopping us from cloning humans?  Cloning makes an exact copy of another creature, is this ethical?  Many people don't think cloning is right, because cloned animals face difficulties, as their DNA is older than their chronological age.  This contributes to diseases and other complications early in the clones life.  Dolly died of a lung disease that only affects older sheep.