Cloning of Pig Cells - Essay Example

 Cloning of Pig Cells Introduction Cloning is a technology that has attracted increasing research because of its potential benefits. Cloning involves the production of organisms that are genetically identical to the donor organism. The production of clones occurs through two distinct procedures namely nuclear transfers and splitting of multicellular embryos to create several genetically identical organisms. Cloning has opened a platform that is both scientifically intriguing and beneficial, but also given rise to ethical concerns. Nuclear transfer is the method used in the cloning of different organisms. There have been several successes of cloning especially the birth of Dolly the sheep in 1997, which lived for six years. Nuclear transfer involves the fusion of somatic cells and enucleated egg cells. Cloning of pig cells will be the focus of this paper. Scientists have identified pig clones as a potential hope for the future because of the possibility of xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation has resulted from the merging of cloning with an additional biotechnology technique of genetic engineering. In addition, cloning has led to new prospects of livestock breeding and advances in medical procedures. This paper will discuss the procedure involved in the cloning of pig cells. Cloning Procedure Cloning is a multi-step process that scientists have endeavored to advance for a long time. The success story of Dolly the sheep served as a breakthrough for the cloning of mammalian cells after the success of other species (Cibell 2002, p. 32). Cloning has its basis on the understanding of the processes involved in embryo development after fertilization. The egg cells have programmed machinery that presents it with the potential of cell division, and eventually differentiation into different cells, tissues, and organs. The genetic material transferred into the egg cells emanates from somatic cells. Somatic cells have all the genetic information that determines the phenotypic characteristics of an organism. The initial step in cloning is the isolation of somatic cells that will serve as donor cells. (Cibelli2002, p. 78). The cell type chosen often determines the viability of the process. Usually, somatic cells for use as donor cells are diploid in nature. The choice of the source of the somatic cells varies according to different studies, but the udder of pigs serves as a source of nuclear donors. The procedure of obtaining nuclear donors entails obtaining a tissue biopsy. Cells obtained from the biopsy undergo the required culture awaiting the other procedures. The treatment of the donor cells prior to the cloning procedure is critical in determining the level of success of the cloning process. The second step involves the acquisition of the oocytes that serve as nuclear recipients. Usually, these have to emanate from the reproductive organs. Cloning of pigs requires viable oocytes that exhibit the potential of dividing effectively. After obtaining the oocytes, the process of enucleation follows (Ermak2007, p. 56). Since these oocytes serve as nuclear recipients, their own nuclei no longer have a role. It is worth noting that the nucleus of the oocytes is haploid. Since cloning does not involve fertilization of the haploid oocyte by a haploid sperm cell, then there is need to replace the haploid nucleus with the somatic diploid nucleus. After the acquisition of the oocytes, the process of nuclear takes place through the fusion of the somatic cells and the enucleated enzyme. This step begins with the injection of the cell into the enucleated oocyte (Morgan 2006, p. 67). Different technologies have been used in the injection process. After injection, the next step requires electro-fusion whereby the use of electricity triggers the fusion of the two cells, forming a diploid embryo. Research has revealed that cloning pigs require four different embryos. Effective fusion ensures that the nuclear is transplanted from the donor cell to the oocyte. Since the enucleation process serves to distort the oocyte after the removal of the nucleus, then there is a need for the application of artificial strategies of activating the embryo. The embryo needs to undergo a rigorous process of cell division, and therefore it is essential to initiate division by artificial activation. After activation, embryo culture at favorable conditions. This culture lasts for some time until the embryo is stable enough for the transfer to the surrogate mother (Morgan 2006, p. 89). Transfer of the embryo to a surrogate mother requires four stable embryos to induce pregnancy in the pig. Since the induction of pregnancy is artificial, there is need to monitor all the hormonal changes that occur in a bid to ensure that a stable pregnancy result. Effective management of the pregnancy requires regular monitoring of the developing fetus through ultrasound technology. It is necessary to prevent any abortive signs that may result to still birth. Management of the pregnancy determines the number of embryos that develop to become embryos (Rothschild&Ruvinsky 2011, p. 79). The survival rate of the embryos in pigs is usually low, a factor evident in Scotland in in the cloning of a pig named Xena. The case of Xena was the only successful fetus that developed until delivery into a piglet. Factors Affecting the Reproduction of a Clone Several factors often determine the success rate of cloning pigs. Some of these factors include the treatment of donor cells prior to the nuclear transfer process, and the activation technique used to initiate the division of the embryo. Experts in the cloning technique have also highlighted that the embryo culture selected determines the embryo viability. The entire cloning procedure relies on the assumption that effective reprogramming occurs in the newly formed embryo. In cases where reprogramming fails, the expression of the genes in the embryo, does not occur, inhibiting the cloning procedure (Schatten2004, p. 27) . The techniques employed in the entire nuclear transfer process may also lower the probability of success. Conclusion Evidently, cloning is one of the most intriguing scientific techniques. Cloning of animals presents multiple benefits that are likely to change the picture of medicine in the future. However, there are multiple ethical and legal issues surrounding cloning. The cloning of pigs presents a future hope of xenotransplantation. However, the potential has not been exploited yet, and scientists are striving to clarify the surging concerns on the efficiency of cloning. Bibliography Cibelli, J. B. 2002. Principles of cloning. Amsterdam, Academic Press. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10186295. Ermak, G. 2007. Modern science & future medicine.S.l, s.n.]. Morgan, R. M. 2006. The genetics revolution: history, fears, and future of a life-altering science. Westport [u.a.], Greenwood. Rothschild, M. F., &Ruvinsky, A. 2011.The genetics of the pig.Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK, CABI. Schatten, H. 2004. Germ cell protocols. Totowa, N.J., Humana Press. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=131663. Read More