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Therapeutic Cloning

Therapeutic cloning is based on a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer. Basically, the nucleus of an egg is removed in order to replace it with DNA harvested from a somatic cell provided by the intended patient. A somatic cell is also known as a cell from an adult body part. Removing the nucleus eliminates the part of the egg responsible for genetics. As such, replacing it with the somatic cell’s DNA ensures that the created blastocyt will be genetically matched with the cell’s donor.

It is hoped that since the embryonic stem cells produced through such a procedure are, in effect, from the patient himself, his immune system will be much less likely to reject the stem cells when they are transplanted into his body. This would therefore allow damaged cells, tissues or organs to be renewed. Currently, such therapies are still theoretical.

Therapeutic cloning comes under the same moral criticism as embryonic stem cell research, since scientists must create then destroy a blastocyst in order to harvest the inner mass required to produce the initial embryonic stem cell line.

Book Resources On Therapeutic Cloning

God and the Embryo: Religious Voices on Stem Cells and Cloning by Brent Waters
Stem Cell Research: Medical Applications and Ethical Controversies by Joseph, Panno

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