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Stem Cells and Cloning

Stem Cells

Stem Cell: a cell that can continuously divide and differentiate into various tissues

Two Types: Multipotent: adult stem cells and somatic cells Pluripotent: embryonic cells and induced

pluripotent stem (iPS) cells

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-are-stem-cells-craig-a-kohn#watch

Cloning

Clone: an organism, cell, or piece of genetic material that is identical to the one that was preexisting; to make a genetic duplicate

Natural cloning: asexual reproduction

Abnormal development is the reason most clones do not survive very long

SCNT: Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Remove nucleus of surrogate’s egg cell

Replace with nucleus of adult cell you wish to clone: Place cell next to empty

surrogate egg cell Use an electric shock to

open membranes and fuse cells

Cell will begin to divide and develop into an embryo – implant into surrogate

Cloning Humans?

Is it possible? Is it something we should be worried about?

http://ed.ted.com/on/1ECgrLFU#watch

Ethics

Safety Unknown effects Results vary

Human Rights When does human life begin? Can iPS cells become human clones?

Genetic Engineering