Research cloning

Research cloning

The possibility of human cloning, raised when Scottish scientists at Roslin Institute created the much-celebrated sheep "Dolly" (Nature 385, 810-13, 1997), aroused worldwide interest and concern because of its scientific and ethical implications.

There are different types of cloning however, and cloning technologies can be used for other purposes besides producing the genetic twin of another organism. There are   three types of cloning technologies: (1) recombinant DNA technology or DNA cloning, (2) reproductive cloning, and (3) therapeutic cloning.

 

For reproductive cloning, the clonal embryo would have to be implanted into a woman's womb. If all went well, the clonal embryo would become a clonal baby. This baby would have exactly the same genes as the person who donated the genetic material from his or her adult cell. That means that the baby would be an exact genetic copy of the donor - the nuclear donor's clone.

Due to the inefficiency of animal cloning (only about 1 or 2 viable offspring for every 100 experiments) and the lack of understanding about reproductive cloning, many scientists and physicians strongly believe that it would be unethical to attempt to clone humans. Not only do most attempts to clone mammals fail, about 30% of clones born alive are affected with "large-offspring syndrome" and other debilitating conditions. Several cloned animals have died prematurely from infections and other complications. The same problems would be expected in human cloning. In addition, scientists do not know how cloning could impact mental development.

The creation of clonal embryos involves the process know as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), in which the nucleus of a (diploid) somatic cell is inserted into an egg cell from which the (haploid) nucleus has been removed. The resulting clonal embryo is induced to begin dividing with chemicals or electricity. Research cloning is controversial because it poses health risks to women who provide the necessary eggs, because the high demand for such eggs could lead to exploitation, and because the successful creation of viable clonal embryos would make reproductive cloning more feasible. Some countries prohibit research cloning. Others allow it but regulate the practice carefully.

 Country

Region

 Research cloning

Argentina

Latin America

PROHIBITED

Australia

Oceania

Regulated by law

Austria

Europe

PROHIBITED

Belgium

Europe

Regulated by law

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Europe

PROHIBITED

Brazil

Latin America

PROHIBITED

Bulgaria

Europe

PROHIBITED

Canada

Northern America

PROHIBITED

China

Asia

Regulated by law

Columbia

Latin America

PROHIBITED

Costa Rica

Latin America

PROHIBITED

Croatia

Europe

PROHIBITED

Cuba

Latin America

Regulated by law

Cyprus

Asia

PROHIBITED

Czech Republic

Europe

PROHIBITED

Denmark

Europe

PROHIBITED

Ecuador

Latin America

PROHIBITED

Egypt

Africa

no policy

El Salvador

Latin America

PROHIBITED

Estonia

Europe

PROHIBITED

Finland

Europe

Regulated by law

France

Europe

PROHIBITED

Georgia

Asia

PROHIBITED

Germany

Europe

PROHIBITED

Greece

Europe

PROHIBITED

Hungary

Europe

PROHIBITED

Iceland

Europe

PROHIBITED

India

Asia

Regulated by law

Iran

Asia

PROHIBITED

Ireland

Europe

PROHIBITED

Israel

Asia

permitted

Italy

Europe

PROHIBITED

Japan

Asia

Regulated by law

Jordan

Asia

no policy

Latvia

Europe

PROHIBITED

Lithuania

Europe

PROHIBITED

Luxembourg

Europe

PROHIBITED

Mexico

Latin America

PROHIBITED

Moldova

Europe

PROHIBITED

Netherlands

Europe

PROHIBITED

New Zealand

Oceania

PROHIBITED

Norway

Europe

PROHIBITED

Panama

Latin America

PROHIBITED

Peru

Latin America

PROHIBITED

Poland

Europe

PROHIBITED

Portugal

Europe

PROHIBITED

Romania

Europe

PROHIBITED

Russia

Europe

PROHIBITED

San Marino

Europe

PROHIBITED

Singapore

Asia

Regulated by law

Slovakia

Europe

PROHIBITED

Slovenia

Europe

PROHIBITED

South Africa

Africa

permitted

South Korea

Asia

Regulated by law

Spain

Europe

Regulated by law

Sweden

Europe

Regulated by law

Switzerland

Europe

PROHIBITED

Taiwan

Asia

PROHIBITED

Thailand

Asia

Regulated by law

Tunisia

Africa

PROHIBITED

Turkey

Asia

no policy

United Arab Emirates

Asia

PROHIBITED

United Kingdom

Europe

Regulated by law

United States of America

Northern America

no policy

Vietnam

Asia

PROHIBITED

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