Learn Genetics- Cloning Information

Cloning- "the creation of an organism that is an exact genetic copy of another."

• Identical twins are actually naturally made clones. As of right now, there are no human clones produced through science.
• Cloning can be done in two ways- artificially cloning an embryo, or "twinning," or transferring somatic cells.
• Artificial twinning works the same way as natural twinning, but it's done in a petri dish rather than a mother's body. An embryo divides itself after the fertilization of an egg, and then both of the cells continue dividing until they become different individuals.
• SCNT (Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer) works much differently. A somatic cell gets isolated, the nucleus of the cell gets removed and transplanted into an egg cell, and the egg cell gets transplanted into a surrogate mother.
• The first artificial cloning on record was in 1885. A sea urchin was cloned.
• A salamander was cloned in 1902- the first organism with a backbone to be cloned.
• Cloning could be used to revive endangered or even extinct species.
• Diseased animals could also be cloned for research purposes.
• Cloning could also bring organisms back from the dead (as a separate organism, but with the same appearance), but they won't behave exactly the same, as they are a separate organism.
• Cloning doesn't always work, though. The success rate ranges from 0.1 to 3 percent. (970 to 999 failures in 1000 attempts.)
• Should a clone be a success, it will often have development problems at any time in its life. The clone's life itself is also shorter than that of a natural human's.
• In a nutshell, cloning would be wonderful if it were actually successful most of the time. Until then, scientists just have to keep developing more efficient procedures and technology, and in the future it's entirely possible that cloning could be used regularly.

Harvest of Fear Activity: Q & A

1. What is a GM Crop?
A GM crop is a genetically modified crop. It can be modified for a number of reasons, usually for the food to grow faster and larger, to stay fresh longer, or to have a richer taste.

2. List 2 arguments FOR the growing of GM crops.
GM foods can last longer, and are also proven to be healthier. In addition, farmers are benefitted greatly by them because they can be engineered to keep pests away.

3. List 2 arguments AGAINST the growing of GM crops.
The food produced by these crops is known to pose health risks for some. GM crops will also become too expensive for small farmers in developing countries.

4. Practice this simulation until you get the largest ears of corn. How many times did it take you?
Two times.

5. List two foods and describe how they are being modified.
Sushi: Rice is being modified to have different levels of starch, to resist pests, and to have more vitamins. Salmon are being modified to grow faster.
French fries: Potatoes are being engineered to absorb less oil when fried, which makes for healthier fries.

6. Do you think food should be labeled if it has been genetically modified? Why or Why not?
Yes. GM foods pose health risks to some, so those affected by it should be able to know so they can stay away from it.

7. Write down any of the GE sites you visited through Yahooligans below.
http://www.eco-pros.com/genetic_engineering.htm
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/cloning.shtml