Cloning is scientific process that allows scientists to copy the genetic traits of a plant or animal to create one or more living replicas. Essentially, cloning replicates the genetic make-up of the animal from which the cell nucleus was taken to produce the cloned offspring. It is distinct from genetic modification, which alters animal characteristics by directly changing the DNA sequence.The first clone was the sheep called Dolly, which happened to be a farm animal, in Scotland in 1996. Cloning has always been debatable, because the idea that the cloning could alter the meat and milk that is produced by the cloned animal. There have been multiple farm animals that have been cloned mice, mules, horses, deer, oxen, cows, pigs, dogs and cats. Overall there has been 15 mammals that have been cloned and none being a primate. Scientists expect that in the future, cloning technology will be conventionally used for duplicating breeding animals. This would grant the meat and dairy industries to take advantage of the genetic traits of prized cows and bulls without being limited by the animal’s natural life span. In 2003 the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) there was a ban on cloned animals in any phase of food production. In 2007, there was research that showed that cloning was only 10% successful. Also the prices to clone animals are extremely high, for cows it is approximitly $20,000, and to have a house cat cloned privately it is around $32,000. A Texas-based company began cloning champion horses in March 2006 that can sell for as much as $150,000 per horse. There is a controversy for the animals health, they live short lives and are normally born with deformity's. Also the host mother is at the risk of a high death rate.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Cloning Farm Animals
Cloning is scientific process that allows scientists to copy the genetic traits of a plant or animal to create one or more living replicas. Essentially, cloning replicates the genetic make-up of the animal from which the cell nucleus was taken to produce the cloned offspring. It is distinct from genetic modification, which alters animal characteristics by directly changing the DNA sequence.The first clone was the sheep called Dolly, which happened to be a farm animal, in Scotland in 1996. Cloning has always been debatable, because the idea that the cloning could alter the meat and milk that is produced by the cloned animal. There have been multiple farm animals that have been cloned mice, mules, horses, deer, oxen, cows, pigs, dogs and cats. Overall there has been 15 mammals that have been cloned and none being a primate. Scientists expect that in the future, cloning technology will be conventionally used for duplicating breeding animals. This would grant the meat and dairy industries to take advantage of the genetic traits of prized cows and bulls without being limited by the animal’s natural life span. In 2003 the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) there was a ban on cloned animals in any phase of food production. In 2007, there was research that showed that cloning was only 10% successful. Also the prices to clone animals are extremely high, for cows it is approximitly $20,000, and to have a house cat cloned privately it is around $32,000. A Texas-based company began cloning champion horses in March 2006 that can sell for as much as $150,000 per horse. There is a controversy for the animals health, they live short lives and are normally born with deformity's. Also the host mother is at the risk of a high death rate.
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The FDA reversed their decision in 2008 http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/01/15/fda.cloning/index.html . They believe cloning is better for higher milk & meat yields from specific herds. Just another example of putting profits first. The FDA is just as crooked as the mob: http://www.naturalnews.com/035254_FDA_board_members_financial_ties.html .
ReplyDeleteInteresting article and I believe that this is all for profit as well. I don't agree with cloning because as the article states, cloning is only 10% successful. Why take the chance and waste thousands of dollars to only hope that the clone lives long enough to make something of it.
ReplyDeleteLike anything else, if cloning can be calibrated to successfully reproduce the same desirable traits that the previous generation possessed then I believe that it should be implemented. In a world where the population is approaching 9 billion individuals rapidly, any form of food replication that can be proven to be safe should be utilized!
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