Cloning

• Cloning


  Artificially producing genetically identical clones of an organism

  
• Main reproductive cloning technologies in animals

  • Somatic cell nuclear transfer
  • Embryo splitting

  
• Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)


  1. Enucleation - Removal or destruction of nucleus from donated egg cells to produce enucleated egg cells.

  2. Extraction - Donated somatic cell’s nucleus is extracted.

  3. Insertion - The somatic cell’s nucleus is inserted into the enucleated egg.

  4. Development - Following insertion, the cell divides and becomes an embryo. Then it is implanted into the surrogate mother.
• Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)


  • Involves a donated egg cell and a donated somatic cell
  • Produces genetically identical offspring

  
• Embryo splitting


  • Produces two or more genetically identical offspring
  • Implanted into surrogate mothers

  
• Embryo splitting occurs when the cluster of cells is between 6–8 cells

  
• Totipotent cells


  Capable of developing into viable embryos

  
• In-vitro fertilisation (IVF)


  • Allows selective choice of eggs and sperm from parents with desirable traits