A carbon copy – of a cat!
The world’s first cloned cat was recently born in Texas, USA. The kitten was named CC, which stands for Carbon Copy, and she was cloned using genetic technology.
What is cloning?
Cloning (a form of genetic engineering) is copying the DNA of another creature. Our DNA, which exists in all the cells in our bodies, provides the instructions for what we look like, our personalities and our likes and dislikes.
How does it work?
CC was created by taking the DNA from one cat and putting it into a new embryonic cell - the type of cell from which babies or new creatures are created. The cell was then implanted into a surrogate mother. Of the 200 cells created, 87 were implanted, but only two cats fell pregnant and only one kitten was born - CC.
Cloning doesn’t guarantee an exact copy. CC is tortoiseshell and this type of coat colouring is not decided by genes alone -temperature and other factors affect the coat pattern, so CC’s markings are different to those of the original cat. CC’s personality and behaviour will also be different.
Pros and cons of cloning
There are a lot of concerns about genetic engineering, particularly cloning. A lot of people believe the cloning of any creature is wrong, and are worried that scientists will eventually clone people.
But the benefits could help treat of diseases and injuries such as diabetes, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and damaged spinal cords as well preserve animals and wildlife.
However, the current concern is that cloning will not be used for the progress of science, but for personal gain. For example - CC was not created to help discover a cure for disease, but to replace a lost pet.
Source: New Scientist http://www.newscientist.com