DNA Technology

DNA research has come a long way since Friedrich Miescher first isolated it in 1869 and the discovery of DNA’s double helix structure by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. Surely they would have never imagined what scientists can do with human DNA today. Cloning, gene therapy, stem cell research, and genetically modified foods all began with the discovery of DNA and probably would have been unimaginable in anyone’s eyes in the 1800’s. But scientist’s today are manipulating genes and DNA in an effort to prevent disease, cure disease, and feed the world. History was made on July 5, 1996 when Dolly the sheep was born. She was the first mammal to be cloned from adult DNA. By splitting two-cell embryos apart, scientists were able to produce two genetically identical organisms. Cloning is a process of making genetically identical organisms through non-sexual means. There are three types of cloning, DNA cloning, reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning. DNA (or molecular) cloning consists of removing a small piece of the DNA strand and uniting it with a plasmid which reproduces itself to create multiple copies of the same DNA code. The copied DNA can then be grown in a suitable host cell where the recombinant vector can then be reproduced along with the host cell DNA. DNA cloning is typically used in biological experiments and technological applications where large scale protein production is needed. (NRC, 2002) Reproductive cloning is used to create and animal with the same DNA as an existing animal. In a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer the DNA information from the nucleus of an adult cell is copied into a cell whose nucleus has been removed. Chemicals or an electric current are used to stimulate cell division. Once the cells start dividing it is implanted in the uterus of a female host where it grows