Biotechnology - Animal Cloning

Question 1

Explain the process of artificial embryo twinning

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Answer 1

1) egg cell extracted and fertilised on petri dish
2) fertilised egg cell divides forming and embryo in-vitro
3) cells from embryo are separated
4) each cell develops and divides into separate embryos
5) each embryo implanted into different surrogate mothers
6) genetically identical offspring are born

Question 2

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) process

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Answer 2

1) somatic cell taken from organism and nucleus is removed
2) egg cell taken from another organism is enucleated
3) nucleus from somatic cell is inserted into enucleated egg cell
4) it is stimulated to divide by electrofusion which produces and embryo
5) embryo implanted into surrogate mother

Question 3

Animal cloning uses

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Answer 3

1) Scientific research improved as genetic variable removed
2) Farmers can clone high yielding or larger animals which are more profitable
3) Embryonic stem cells can be used to create organs and tissues for transplant (less prone to attack from immune sys)
4) Infertile or genetically engineered animals can be cloned

Question 4

Arguments FOR animal cloning

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Answer 4

Desirable genetic characteristics always passed on
Infertile organisms can be cloned
Can be done all year round
Increase population for endangered animals
Cloning can help develop treatments for disease

Question 5

Arguments AGAINST animal cloning

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Answer 5

1) Time consuming, difficult and expensive
2) No genetic variability so clone population susceptible to same disease
3) Use of human embryos for stem cells is controversial
4) Some research says clones may not live as long as natural offspring