Download The most advanced cloning technology, somatic cell nuclear transfer

A Cost/Benefit Analysis of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
Since the cloning of Dolly the Sheep in 1996, somatic cell nuclear transfer
technique has been adapted as the most advanced cloning technology in the scientific
community. It is one of the most important scientific breakthroughs in last century and
brings many benefits to our society. The cloning of farm animals that have “superior
genes” can increase the productivity of meat and milk (1). Also, the technology can be
used to protect animals by increasing the number of animals with genetic resistance to
infectious disease. However, animal cloning also opens up a Pandora’s Box of ethical
issues because the survival rate of cloning animals is extremely low. In addition, the
towering costs of cloning and health safety of cloned food are legitimate concerns (2).
In somatic cell nuclear transfer, the nucleus is removed from a somatic cell, and inserted
into an egg cell. Then, the somatic cell nucleus is reprogrammed by the host cell. The egg
is that contains the nucleus of a somatic cell can divide and generate organisms that have
DNA content that identical to the somatic cell(3).
The technical advances in the field of cloning have brought huge impacts on the
food market and potential benefits to the environment and all living organisms. The
cloning of farm animals such as cattle gives huge benefit to the farmers. They can select
cows with “superior gene” that can be fast growing, disease resistant and able to produce
high quality meat (1). In addition, cloning can reduce the occurrence of pain and disease
among farm animals, and therefore improve their survival rate and overall welfare.
Furthermore, cloning can decrease the number of unwanted species that carry infectious
disease, which are not only detrimental to human but also the environment. For instance,
the elimination of pests can increase the crop production and reduce the need of fertilizers,
which are harmful to human and various animals (1).
Despite the benefit of genetic cloning, it has many drawbacks and is source of
debate for many ethical issues. First of all, cloning is an extremely costly process.
According to the recent statistics, the average cost of cloning a pet or a farm animal is as
high as 50,000 dollars (4). In addition, the survival rate of cloning animals is very low.
Only one in five of the clones actually survived and has normal physical and mental
development. The majority of the cloned animals is defective and is usually lost early in
age. Even successful clones with normal appearance have a small chance of possessing
genetic defects that could make them unsafe for consumption (2). Therefore, the food and
drug administration should strictly regulate food produced from genetic cloned animals
and develop a system to monitor the production of cloned livestock. Another ethical issue
involves in the cloning of pets or domestic animals, which is strongly opposed by
different animal rights organizations such as PETA. The cloned family pet is definitely
not identical to the original one because organisms can be influenced by environmental
factors. This is synonymous with the age-old debate of genetic versus environmental
factors. Also, the cloned pets or even human is especially controversial among different
religious groups, who may believe that it is not moral to “Play God”.
I think genetic cloning is an advancement that is attributed to our modern
technology. The technique can potentially benefit our society in terms of food production
and natural protection. However, because cloning is still in a developing stage, many
issues such as high cost and low successful rate are still unresolved. Furthermore, it
causes many ethical issues and is strongly opposed by religious groups. Therefore, more
research is needed to improve the genetic cloning technology before it can be widely
applied for different purposes.
Work Cited
(1) Bren, Linda. “Cloning: Revolution or Evolution in Animal Production.” US and
Drug Administration 2003. 8 October 2007 <http://www.fda.gov/cvm/Sep
Oct03.htm#2078>
(2) “Scientists Say Cloning Animals for Food has Uncertain Benefits, Many
Drawbacks” Union of Concerned Scientists 2006. 8 October 2007
<http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/scientists-say-cloning.html>
(3) “Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (Therapeutic Cloning)” AAMC. 2005. 8 October
2007 <http://www.aamc.org/advocacy/library/research/res0003.htm>
(4) Mott, Maryann. “Cat Cloning Offered to Pet Owners” National Geographic News
2004. 8 October 2007 < http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news /2004/03/0
324_0 40324_ catclones.html>
Editor’s Comments:
Dear Student,
Although this is a short essay, you have made many valid points of arguments and
supported them with a sufficient amount of detail. This is a classic approach to introduce
an idea and characterizing it from two different points of view. Even though most people
tend to lean toward one side of argument, it is good to see that you have generally stayed
neutral and take on an objective as opposed to subjective point of view.
However, there are many points that will improve your overall essay. First, your
original essay had no real format. I changed the spacing for the essay as well as added a
“work cited” title so the audience will know that you have used different sources to write
this essay. In addition, you should give your essay a proper header and a title.
Depending on your requirements for this essay, a possible title could be [Somatic Cell
Nuclear Transfer: Modern Day Marvel or Moral Mistake] or [A Cost/Benefit Analysis of
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer]. Which one you pick is up to you but a title is definitely
essential.
The general message of your essay is very clear. You mention the possible “advances”
that somatic nuclear transfer can bring to the scientific community and the “benefits” it
can bring to the farming industry. However, even though the general message is good,
your essay is filled with grammatical errors and conflicts. Throughout the essay, one
prevalent problem is your verb-noun agreements and verb tense selection. You can refer
to this website [http://editfast.com/english/grammar/verbs/verb_1.htm] to help you write
a consistent essay free of verb conflicts. However, as a general rule, you should select a
certain verb form (past or present) and stick with it throughout the essay.
In addition, in all of the paragraphs, especially the first one, you have many excessive
wording that can be eliminated and/or are inappropriate. I have crossed the excessive
words out so you should remove them in your final essay. I have also made many
adjustments throughout your essay to improve the syntax and sentence flow, such as the
following change: “Furthermore, cloning can decrease the number of unwanted species
that carry infectious disease, which are not only detrimental to human but also the
environment.” I have also inserted a couple of analogies to give your essay more variety
and flavor.
Overall you have a well structured essay with proper introduction and conclusion as well
as supporting details in the main body paragraphs. Good luck with your essay and
assignment, the corrected version should demonstrate the importance and the effects of
somatic cell nuclear transfer on society and the environment!
Sincerely,
AbroadEssay