Cloning means the creation of genetically identical organisms with the asexual reproduction method. The first cloning studies started in the early 1980s with the division of the embryo and the creation of more than one living thing from an embryo but gained momentum with the genetic copy of an adult sheep in 1997. In recent years, many studies have been carried out on the cloning of farm animals, including cattle. It can be said that one of the controversial scientific issues today is cloning. Also, It can be said that cloning can occur in natural and artificial ways.
As an example of natural cloning, the formation of identical twins from the animal kingdom, some varieties of grapes and vines that reproduce by natural vegetative method from the plant kingdom, as well as potatoes and bananas can be given as examples.
Artificial cloning types are generally classified in three different ways: recombinant DNA cloning (gene cloning), reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning (therapeutic cloning). It is possible to see studies on cloning in the literature.
Considering the cloned sheep species; In 1995, domestic sheep Megan and Morag were the first mammals to be cloned from differentiated cells. In February 1997, Dolly was born as the first mammal to be cloned from an adult’s somatic cell. It was then transgenically engineered and engineered to produce the human protein in the summer of 1997. The first cloned lamb, Polly, was born.
Let’s talk about the positive aspects. It allows the reproduction of extinct animals. Protein is cloned for humans so humans stay healthy. Cloning is done to regenerate the tissues lost in the surgery.
But the negative aspects are unfortunately more. People grow faster in the womb. Naturalness is lost. Hereditary diversity is lost. Everyone is alike. However, some problems make
it difficult to use these cells for therapeutic purposes and need to be resolved.
Research on human cloning is prohibited in many countries today. Because studies on other living things show that cloned creatures have many health problems that cannot be controlled.
On the other hand, it should be noted that the somatic cell nucleus transfer technology serves to create cloned embryos from a living thing, not an exact copy. In other words, the creatures that will be born in this way will also go through the growth processes that others go through.
So in general, with the technology we have now, cloning is dangerous and brings many problems. That’s why I think it’s a better decision to ban it.