Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer: Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloning

RUNNING HEAD: SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER 1
Somatic cell nuclear transfer
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SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER 2
Process of somatic cell nuclear transfer
Somatic cell nuclear transfer is the process in which the nucleus that has the DNA of the
organism of the somatic cell is removed and the other organelles discarded. The nucleus of the
egg cell is subsequently removed then replaced by the nucleus from the somatic cell (Wurm &
Wurm, 2017). The inserted nucleus is then reprogrammed by the host cell and after several
mitotic divisions, a blastocyst that is similar DNA to the original organism is produced.
Advantages of cloning
Cloning has enabled infertile couples to bear children. Cloning has made it possible for
infertile parents to bear children where the somatic cells of the male are taken from sperms then
transferred to the female ovaries for fertilization. The embryo is then transferred to the surrogate
mother who carries the baby for 9 months up to delivery.
Genetic cloning makes it possible to replace different organs. Genetic cloning has made it
possible to replace different organs such as kidneys, organs or even limbs .This is because the
somatic cells are obtained from the original organs and used to generate the new organ or tissue.
Organ replacement has made it possible to treat or manage certain medical conditions.
Cloning can be used to create desired characteristics. Genetic Cloning has made it
possible to produce desired characteristics for example prominent people where the somatic cells
are obtained from the original people and used to propagate another prominent individual.
Disadvantages of cloning
Despite the numerous advantages of cloning, the technique is also associated with
different problems or disadvantages. One of the disadvantages of genetic cloning is that it leads
to a decrease in gene diversity. According to different studies, it has been established that the