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Many benefits to humans have come about as a result
of cloning.
Gene positional cloning is a major medical advancement,
not only because of cloning, but because of the
Human Genome Project as well. The goal of this procedure
is to identify human disease genes and then clone
them for further study. This is done by studying
several families who have the disorder. The gene
for Huntington’s Disease was found this way by examining
a large Venezuelan family who had many members with
the disease. Scientists, after isolating the gene,
were able to test each member of the family to see
if they had the disease.
Another benefit from modern cloning is in agriculture.
Farmers and ranchers can now have their strongest
crops and animals twinned so that they are less
likely to contract diseases.
Transplant patients may also soon benefit from
cloning. Via cloning, British scientists have been
able to insert portions of human DNA into several
species including microbes, fish, rabbits, pigs,
sheep, cows, and mice. Pig hearts are often used
as transplants to replace diseased human hearts.
Donor pigs with human DNA could provide stronger
hearts.
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