Present Benefits of Cloning

Present Benefits of Cloning

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.

Gene the bull

Infigen/ABS Global's 'Gene', the world's first cloned bull.
By permission of Infigen/ABS Global

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.