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therapeutic cloning

medicine and genetics

Quick Summary

Therapeutic cloning is a process that involves creating a cloned embryo for the purpose of extracting stem cells. These stem cells are genetically identical to the patient and can be differentiated into various cell types to replace diseased or damaged tissues without immune rejection. This holds potential for treating conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes.12

While cloning naturally occurs in organisms like bacteria, scientific cloning in research involves duplicating biological material such as DNA or cells. The generation of cloned embryos for research or therapeutic purposes is a subject of ethical debate. Reproductive cloning, which aims to create a whole organism, is distinct from therapeutic cloning and faces universal condemnation due to significant risks and ethical concerns.12

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