Animal biotechnology

Tinggal 3 'paper' lagi exam final semester 1 ni. Sabar memang menuntut kesabaran lantaran 4 paper terakhir ni merupakan berturutan setiap hari. Yang lebih mengecutkan perut adalah keempat-empat paper ni main kena hafal... Haduhhh... agak menggerunkan untuk menghasilkan hasil yang terbaik.. Karang ( sekarang pukul 4 pagi) adalah paper 'Animal Biotechnology'. Ya. Paper yang saya minat tapi agak meminatkan saya untuk minat dalam hati.. Haha sebab selalu 'last' minit stadi. TAk kesah lah.

Types of Cloning
There are two main types of cloning: reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning. These procedures are governed by different laws because they are used for different purposes.

Reproductive Cloning

Reproductive cloning is performed with the express intent of creating another organism. This organism is the exact duplicate of one that already exists or has existed in the past. Cloning of plants, animals, and humans falls into the class of reproductive cloning.

How is Reproductive Cloning Performed?
Reproductive cloning is performed using a technique called Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT). The genetic material from a donor egg is removed, so that you are left with an empty egg. Then, a cell is taken from the organism to be cloned and its nucleus is removed. This nucleus is then transferred into the empty donor egg. Using chemicals or a mild electric shock, the egg is forced to divide, creating an embryo. This embryo is then transferred into the uterus of the host organism.

What Is Reproductive Cloning Used For?
Reproductive cloning has only been used for research purposes, however, its future implications are staggering. Reproductive cloning could be used effectively for repopulating endangered species or to help make breeding of specific animals easier. Reproductive cloning uses could also include the production of organisms with specific characteristics, such as drug-producing animals or genetically "unique" animals.

Therapeutic Cloning

Therapeutic cloning is performed, not to produce another organism, but to harvest embryonic stem cells for use in medical treatments. Embryonic stem cells are those cells found inside of developing embryos. They can be used to produce a number of different cells including tissue, muscle, and organ cells.

How is Therapeutic Cloning Performed?
The therapeutic cloning process is very similar to that of reproductive cloning, however, instead of implanting the dividing embryo into a host, it's stem cells are removed and the embryo dies. A cell is removed from the patient requiring medical treatment. The nucleus of this cell is removed and inserted into an empty donor egg. Division is encouraged through the use of special chemicals or an electric current. The resulting embryonic stem cells are then removed from this embryo and used to treat the patient.

What is Therapeutic Cloning Used For?
Therapeutic cloning is intended for medical use. The embryonic stem cells that this type of cloning produces can be used to create skin for burn victims, organs for transplant patients, or cells for those with spinal cord injuries. And because the cells come from the patient herself, there are no issues of cell rejection. Therapeutic cloning may also help those suffering from heart disease, Alzheimer's Disease, or Parkinson's Disease.

Cord Blood Stem Cells and Cloning

If you have chosen to store your child's cord blood, these umbilical stem cells can be used to help treat him in the event of illness or disease. In the future, it may be possible to use cloning techniques to help reproduce these stem cells, so that more are available for your family's use.

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/StemCell/therapeutic_vs_reproductive.html