ANIMAL CLONING IN INDIA- PROS & CONS

COMPILED BY –DR. RK SINGH, JAMSHEDPUR, & DR. RAJIV KUMAR, SCIENTIST, ICAR, AVIKANAGAR

Cloning, from the term itself, is the process of reproducing organisms with identical genes from a single cell. In other words, cloned animals will have exactly the same DNA. Cloning has become a highly controversial topic in the world in recent years.

Most of the opponents of cloning who are from the religious sector are saying that scientists who conduct such practices are playing God, which is, for them, morally wrong because only the Creator can create life. Meanwhile, proponents of cloning believe that this technology has its benefits. In this article we will discuss the pros and cons of animal cloning and will leave it for you to decide whether it is a good thing or a bad thing in today’s world

1. A way to address the problem of endangered animal extinction through reproductive cloning.

In New Jersey alone, there are about 84 wildlife species are feared to be endangered while around 40% of the world’s species are at risk to be extinct. Advocates of animal cloning say that this scientific process offers a solution to conserve and preserve the species. Aside from preservation, this application can also used to revive even extinct species, just like what the movie “Jurassic Park” was about.

Through reproductive cloning, the nucleus that contains DNA is removed from a female egg of the species being cloned. Meanwhile, a mature cell with the DNA of a specific animal being cloned is injected into an empty egg cell. When an embryo results, it will be carried by a surrogate mother which will then give birth to a new animal which is genetically the same with its cell donor.

First, a female egg cell from the species being cloned has its DNA-containing nucleus removed. Then, a mature cell containing the DNA of the specific animal being cloned is transferred into the empty egg cell. That cell then begins to divide and forms an embryo, which is placed inside a surrogate mother. That embryo develops just as a sexually created one would, and eventually the surrogate mother will give birth to an animal that is genetically identical to the donor of the mature cells. In the case of extinct species, on the other hand, an attempt to resurrect the extinct wild mountain goat “bucardo” almost succeeded in 2009. However, the animal died soon after its birth.

2. The benefit it offers to clinical trials and medical research.

Scientists have been animal models in clinical trials and research. Mice are genetically altered to make them carriers of disease and are then used for research. The process however can take time and several steps to accomplish. With the application of cloning, scientists can now create transgenic animals and increase genetically identical animal models in a relatively short period of time than the normal process.

3. Cloning animals can help in the production of drugs and protein needed in the field of medicine.

Agricultural animals such as goats, cows and sheep are sources of protein. The sheep, for example are great sources of protein needed in the science of medicine, particularly in human blood clothing. By applying the science of animal cloning, shortage of protein sources and vaccines derived from animals can be resolved. Medical researchers and scientists can also have enough animal models for drug testing and study. In a nutshell, cloning can help facilitate the production of more farm animals which are genetically engineered for pharmaceutical and medical purposes such as xenotransplant organ procedures.

4. It can be used to increase the supply of meat and milk in the market for consumption.

Animals are great sources of meat and milk people use on a daily basis. With animal cloning, the agricultural industry can be one of the beneficiaries of this scientific advancement. By selecting an animal with superior genes and cloning it, farmers can now have a livestock full of milk and meat producing breed with superior quality. This can also be a way to create animals that produce milk twice as much compared to animals born from traditional breeding methods.

5. Animal cloning can be used to help stem cell research.

Stem cells are used cure many diseases and build and repair body tissues. With the time and money spent on stem cell research, animal cloning might be able to be used to aid in the process. If done successfully on animals, scientists and mankind might be looking at a future where stem cells in humans can be cloned to produce identical stem cells for specific people for future use.

6. Pet lovers will be spared from missing their deceased animals by cloning.

Another application of animal cloning the can be an advantage is focused on pet lovers. People who have the money and the desire to bring back to life their beloved pets can now do so with this scientific breakthrough. Although this is now possible, there is no assurance that the new animal will look identical with the previous one, as in the case of CC and Rainbow, two cloned cats which did not look the same.

1. It cannot bring back a beloved pet’s personality.

Although your precious dog or cat has been brought to life, there is no guarantee that it will have the same personality as your lost loved one. This this process only clones the muscles, bones and genetic makeup of your favorite animal, but not its traits or personality.

2. It can be seen as animal cruelty.

Although the advancement of cloning may be quite promising, animals that are used for this research may include those who are in poor living conditions. Aside from that, animals that may not be cloned properly because of cell incompatibility could end up getting sick and die due to neglect.

3. It is expensive.

Because of the amount of research, testing and evaluation needed to perfect cloning, it will naturally require large sums of money for it to progress.

4. It reduces genetic diversity.

Cloning creates animals with identical genes, which can limit or even completely eradicate diversity. This can lead to bad breeding via natural means.

5. It can lead to cloning humans.

This is what most opponents of cloning are most concerned about. They fear that genetic manipulation of animals could lead to human cloning, which for many is only possible in movies or in a fantasy world. Moreover, people are concerned of the ethical and moral effects of cloning.

There are those who oppose cloning of animals, and there are those who agree with it. This is because it has its merits and it can help humanity in several ways

Here are some reported successful animal cloning attempts in history:

In 1953, a carp was cloned and after a decade, another attempt succeeded, this time, a European crucian carp.

Born on July 5, 1996, “Dolly” was the ever first successful cloned mammal and lived for five and a half years. Although she lived a normal life, except for having to be kept from the public eye most of her life and kept indoors, she had to be euthanized because she suffered from severe arthritis and a lung disease.

Japanese scientists also made their share in the science of cloning in 1998 when they cloned “Noto” and “Kaga”, two cows and replicated several thousand of times in their bid to produce superior meat and milk products. During the same year, American scientists also cloned “Mira” and her siblings as genetically engineered animals to be used to produce products that are to be utilized in pharmaceutical applications.

In 2001, a cat with the nickname “CC” was cloned. This perhaps triggered the controversial pet-cloning industry with owners willing to spend thousands of dollars to bring their departed pets back to life.

The year 2001 also became part of history with the success of cloning an endangered species known as the bull guar. Although a success, the animal died from infection that showed no relation with the cloning process. This has opened the door to the possibilities of cloning endangered species and preventing them from extinction.

In 2003, “Idaho Gem” came to be, a clone of an equine and a mule. Other cloned mules were born and were used in horse-racing competitions.

It was in the year 2000 when a mouse named “Cumulina” was genetically cloned and born in Hawaii. She lived for more than two years.

There have been reports that a water buffalo was cloned in 2005 either in China or in India. However, the first successful cloning of a water buffalo calf was in 2009, which was named “Samrupa” but unfortunately succumbed to lung infection.

• A female calf named ‘Deepasha’, which was a clone of a wild buffalo named ‘Asha’, that has been kept in semi-captivity at Chhattisgarh, was born on December 12, 2014 by normal parturition. Wild buffalo is an endangered species.

• A male cloned calf named ‘Rajat’, produced through ‘Hand-guided Cloning’ was born on July 23, 2014 by normal parturition. Rajat is a clone of a highly ranked progeny-tested Murrah buffalo bull (MU-4393) which had died many years back.

A female cloned calf named ‘Lalima’, produced through ‘Hand-guided Cloning, was born on May 2, 2014 by normal parturition. Lalima, which is now 7 months of age, is a clone of an elite Murrah buffalo (MU-5345) of NDRI Livestock Farm

While scientists are continuously working on finding ways to perfect this discovery, there are people opposed to this practice. And amidst the popularity of animal cloning, there are advantages and disadvantages raised by opposing groups.

The comparison above clearly states the upside and downside of this practice. Recent advancements and successes are manifestations that in the future, animal cloning might just be ordinary. However, despite the success in most animal cloning attempts and its potential benefits socially and economically, it still has yet to prove that its advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Case in point, the success of cloning “Dolly” is the only one positive result out of the hundreds of cloning attempts done. Also, the evident signs of health problems suffered by cloned animals during their gestation and right after birth should lead scientists to further study this technological advancement in science. Is the world really ready for animal cloning? Perhaps, it is. However, there are potential risks involved along with the benefits it offers. If it will be an effective boost to science and to eventually preserving and maintaining life on earth, further studies should be done to make the method flawless.

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of cloning animals will enlighten your knowledge and appreciation of life. Some things can and cannot be done. It can be said that cloning is still in its development stage, and with continued studies or research, efficient and effective methods can be created for best results