Clones are organisms that are genetically identical to each other. For example, they are identical twins that develop from a common egg. A synonym for the word "clone" is a double. A child cannot be considered a clone of its parents. He receives two sets of genes: one from his father, the other from his mother. Bacteria and some plant species reproduce by natural cloning.
Animal cloning
Dolly Lamb is the first animal cloned artificially. Scientists used genetic material from the udder of an experimental sheep. He was transplanted into the “purified” egg of another female. Thus, she received a double set of genes without fertilization. The third animal became the surrogate mother of the clone. After Dolly, more than 10 animal species were cloned. In 2018, Chinese scientists first cloned the primate. Animal cloning can solve the problem of breeding breeds with certain qualities. During natural reproduction, a certain number of individuals are rejected.
What is a clone?
The development of genetic engineering in the future will cure many diseases. In Mexico, the first child was born from "three parents." Scientists removed the genes that cause a hereditary disease from the egg and replaced them with healthy ones. Thus, one healthy egg was obtained from two eggs. Experts say that this process is not much different from donation. A born child has a set of genes only for its parents. However, he did not inherit the disease and will not pass it on to his unborn children.
The next step should be human cloning. But in most countries, this procedure is prohibited by law for ethical reasons. Many religious organizations oppose the use of human embryos for stem cells. Modern technology does not allow to clone organs from ordinary cells.