How is DNA cloning different from cloning an entire animal?

DNA cloning and the cloning of an entire animal are distinct processes that serve different scientific purposes.

DNA Cloning
DNA cloning is a molecular technique used to produce many identical copies of a specific DNA fragment, such as a gene. In this process, a target DNA segment is inserted into a DNA vector—typically a plasmid or virus—which is then introduced into a host cell, such as a bacterium. As the host cell replicates, it creates numerous copies of the recombinant DNA molecule. This method is fundamental to recombinant DNA technology and is used for sequencing, studying gene function, and creating genomic libraries.12

Cloning an Entire Animal
Cloning an entire organism, specifically through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), involves creating a genetically identical copy of a complex multicellular organism. In SCNT, the nucleus of a somatic cell is transferred into an enucleated egg cell. The egg is then stimulated to develop into an embryo, which may be implanted into a surrogate mother to be carried to term.34

While DNA cloning focuses on replicating specific genetic material for research, reproductive cloning aims to generate a living organism, a process that is ethically complex and often associated with high rates of developmental failure and birth defects.54