Biochemical Techniques and Instrumentation

6.2.3.3.3.Therapeutic cloning

Therapeutic cloning is identical to the reproductive cloing in the initial stages of cloning. In this technique, the stem cells are removed from the pre-embryo to produce tissue or a whole organ for transplant back into the person who supplied the DNA and the pre-embryo dies during the process. The first successful therapeutic cloning was accomplished by Advanced Cell Technology, a Biotech company in Worcester, MA, USA in 200. This cloning is also known as "Research cloning" because the embryos produced are mainly used in stem cell research to study human development and to treat disease.

In therapeutic cloning, the SCNT process is employed. The egg cell from a female donor is first taken and its nucleus is removed to create an enucleated egg . An egg cell consists of all basics required for creating a pre-embryo. The somatic cell is taken from the sick person. The enucleated egg is then fused together with the somatic cell by giving an electrical shock. The resultant embryo is allowed to grow for 14 days to produce many stem cells. The stem cells are then removed from the embryo and encouraged to grow into a piece of human tissue or a complete human organ for transplant. This tissue or organ would be transplanted into the patient. Stem cells can be used to develop into replacement organs such as heart, liver, pancreas, skin, etc.