The process of therapeutic cloning begins when an individual requires a new tissue or organ; a cell is then extracted from the patient. A woman's ovum is then used in the process; the DNA from the ovum has then been extracted. Once the DNA has been extracted, a pre-embryo has been created. The next step of the process, the DNA from the cell extracted from the patient, the extracted DNA sample will then be inserted into the woman’s ovum. An electrical shock is then produced from the ovum; this shock starts the embryo making procedure. In a small percentage of cases, a pre-embryo will be formed. The pre-embryo will be allowed to develop and produce many stem cells. So far, the procedure is similar to the adult DNA cloning. The difference being, that the pre-embryo is not implanted in a woman's womb in order to try to produce a pregnancy. The stem cells are removed from the pre-embryo; this results in the pre-embryo dying. The stem cells would then grow into whatever tissue or organ is required by the patient. The stem cells are a unique form of the patient’s cell, theoretically; the stem cell can develop into many organs or body parts. Once the tissue or organ has been formed, it will be transplanted into the patient.
Conclusion
The benefits of therapeutic cloning are that if there is a less probability that there will be less chances of rejection will be reduced, because the DNA of the new organs and tissues is exactly the same as the patients. Another advantage for the therapeutic cloning is that the patient will not need to wait for the donor to pass away so that the patient can use his organ or tissue, a new organ or tissue will be produced for them. Another advantage for this process is that the patient will not need to use a second-hand organ or tissue; a brand-new organ or tissue will be provided to the patient. The cloning also makes the patient feel more relaxed, as he will not be relying on a donor to provide organs or tissues; all they need to do is produce their own. Therapeutic cloning is useful for saving lives, as if the transplant was not carried out in time, the patient will die, whereas using therapeutic cloning, the process will be imminent. Also, a kidney transplant, or any other transplant involving organs, will see the donor experience pain and see his life-span significantly decreased, whereas if they use therapeutic cloning, they will not put the donor through any pain or see his lifespan cut short due to transplants.
The disadvantages of therapeutic cloning are that there might be some side effect during the process, this being when the embryonic stem cells have contracted a disease. Research regarding this subject has been underway; the conclusion was that the stem cells from the embryos have a greater flexibility compared to the adult stem cells, this concludes that the adult cells are limited compared to the stem cells from the embryo. Another question brought up into therapeutic cloning is the stability of the stem cells, as on a rare occasion, the stem cells have mutated, therefore resulting in the stem cells being rejected from the patient. It has also been reported that experiments were conducted on animals, therefore resulting in tumors. This is all due to therapeutic cloning being in its early stages of development, and a lot of research needs to be carried out until there are no side effects after the process.
