Have you ever wanted to “reinvent” yourself? You may yet get your chance, without having to resort to changing your diet or even hitting the gym more often. Recent advancements in the science of cloning could make it possible to create a “new you.”
The Oregon National Primate Research Center announced this week that they have successfully created the world’s first cloned monkey embryo. The center was also able to extract living stem cells from the embryo, leading to speculation that this technology could quickly develop into a cure for many genetic diseases, as well as growing organs such as kidneys, liver and pancreas for those waiting for a transplant. It could even bring the idea of developing a “carbon copy” of a human being one step closer to reality.
While there is still much research to be done, and a plethora of ethical dilemmas to wrangle with, this newest advancement in the field of genetic research holds out hope for millions. Over the past few decades, cloning research has moved slowly and cautiously. But this newest breakthrough by the Oregon National Primate Research Center is being called a major step forward in the science of cloning.
This is the first time a primate has been cloned using the same technique that led to the first cloned animal — Dolly the sheep. Until the success of this recent project, there was widespread skepticism that a primate could be cloned using this same technique, known as “nuclear transfer.”
Because a monkey’s DNA is nearly identical to that of humans, many experts see the jump from cloning monkeys to humans as minuscule. Of course the next challenge facing researchers is to find out if the same “nuclear transfer” technique can successfully clone human cells as well.
If the process of cloning embryonic stem cells turns out to be practical and is successful on human cells, researchers may be able to cure many genetic based diseases that are currently incurable. As the source of every single cell and organ in the body, stem cells have incredible potential to repair damaged tissue, re-grow damaged or diseased internal organs, and help cure genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s.
Of course there is still real concern over the ethical use of stem cell cloning, and these debates are likely to rage on into the foreseeable future. And while researchers almost unanimously see enormous potential to cure pain and suffering and help individuals lead better lives through stem cell and cloning research, there are many ethical dilemmas that must be addressed. In the end, societies will have to weigh the pros and cons of this research to determine if and how cloning and stem cell replication should take place.
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