Clone
DNA ligase
DNA profiling
Embryo
Gel electrophoresis
GMO's
Plasmids
Taq DNA Polymerase III
Restriction endonuclease
PCR
Somatic cells
Micropipette
Gal band-pattern
DNA amplification
Golden rice
Primer
Electrophoresis Virtual lab here.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method widely used in molecular biology to rapidly make millions to billions of copies of a specific DNA sample allowing scientists to take a very small sample of DNA and amplify it to a large enough amount to study in detail. PCR was invented in 1983 by Kary Mullis.
Animation here.
Virtual production of insulin here.
GMOs: Purple tomatoes
GMOs: Golden rice (with a precursor of vitamin A!)
Answers here.
Arguments against cloning
Cloning reduces the value of the individual child;
Cloned individuals are likely to have developmental disorders / health problems
Cloning is an expensive process and the money could be better spent on other types of healthcare;
Cloning may be done for the wrong reasons eg. to replace a lost loved one.
Arguments for cloning
Identical twins are formed by cloning so it is a natural process;
Cloned embryos can be tested for genetic disease;
Cloning increases the chance of children for infertile couples;
cloning research may lead to spin-offs for other research areas such as cancer / transplant research;