BIOL 1121 - AY2022-T1 Unit 5 Discussion Assignment PDF

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BIOL 1121 - AY2022-T1: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment

BIOL 1121 Biology 1 for Health Studies - AY2022T1 Dashboard / My courses / BIOL 1121 - AY2022-T1 / 30 September - 6 October / Discussion Forum Unit 5 / Unit 5: Discussion Assignment 

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Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Kristel Guimara (Instructor) - Wednesday, 1 September 2021, 12:57 PM

Discussion Assignment The termcloningdescribes a number of different processes that can be used to produce genetically identical copies of a biologica unit. The copied material, which has the same genetic makeup as the original, is referred to as a clone. A number of different biological entities have been cloned, from the smallest section of a single gene, through to tissues, organs and even entire animals More than twenty years have passed since 1996 when Dolly the sheep was the first mammal to be created from an adult cell using a technique called ‘somatic cell nuclear transfer’. This process is still of great interest to science and medicine today since it is believed to be the key to therapeutic cloning and improved organ transplantation.

For your discussion this week briefly describe (one or two paragraphs) the process of somatic cell nuclear transfer and how it is used to create cloned cells. 1) Explain what you consider to be the positive and negative aspects of cloning both scientifically and morally, giving at least three ‘for’ and three ‘against’ points. 2) Discuss whether you think it is a good use of science and will benefit mankind or whether you believe it is unethical and should no longer be pursued? You can expand this discussion outside of therapeutic cloning if you wish and consider the idea that one day it may also be possible to clone whole human beings.

Discussion Requirements

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Your Discussion should be at least 250 words in length, but not more than 750 words.

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BIOL 1121 - AY2022-T1: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment

Use APA citations and references for the textbook and any other sources used; you should use at least 1 APA citation and reference, but you can use more if needed. For help with APA citations, please refer to theUoPeople APA Tutorials in the LRC.

Discussion Responses It is your responsibility to respond to three classmates by providing comments, asking questions, or having a conversation about their main post. Feedback should be appropriate, meaningful, and helpful. For instance refer to how your own experience supports/contradicts the opinions developed by your peers. If you think they are too general or not rooted enough in personal experience, you may also ask for more detailed examples supporting these opinions. In particular make sure that the examples provided are properly referenced and that you are able to access them. Overall, your comments should contribute positively to the conversation by broadening or clarifying it. Feedback should be at least 3-4 complete sentences (100 words).

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Venessa Venter - Saturday, 2 October 2021, 4:44 PM Cloning can be accomplished in several ways, including gene cloning, reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning. The process of gene cloning produces cloned DNA, and reproduction cloning can create animal copies. Stem cells made using therapeutic cloning are genetically identical to those of the patient, which reduces rejection because foreign cells are not utilized. Both reproductive and therapeutic cloning serve different purposes, however, they are related in many ways. Molecular genetics is commonly used to copy genes through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). To transfer DNA into egg cells, the donor cell's DNA is removed from a mature somatic cell, for example, a skin cell. The donor cell's DNA is added after the egg cell's nucleus is removed. (National Human Genome Research Institute. 2019). During fertilization, sperm and egg cells get one full set of chromosomes, while somatic cells already possess two complete sets of chromosomes. Cloning embryos is one method of creating stem cells. (National Human Genome Research Institute. 2019). The practice of animal cloning has a variety of applications and helps scientists study diseases caused by gene mutations. Cloned livestock, like cows and pigs, produce more milk and meat. Cloning can also bring back dead pets. It might be possible to bring back extinct species like the woolly mammoth and giant panda through cloning. (National Geographic Society.2019). Cloning has been done on animals such as cattle and sheep, plus cats, dogs, rabbits, and oxen. From a technical perspective, cloning humans is challenging since removing an egg's nucleus to accommodate a donor nucleus also separates the spindle proteins inhibiting cell division. Unlike cats, rabbits, and mice, which lose their spindle proteins when they lose their nucleus as a result, cats, rabbits, and mice maintain spindle proteins throughout the egg. (National Human Genome Research Institute. 2019). According to certain factions, SCNT is unethical for a variety of reasons, including it produces genetically identical individuals; it violates individuals' identities by creating the same person over and over again; it violates the rights of the less educated, and kids born from these procedures have side effects. A human embryo's benefits are ignored during the egg donation process, as embryos must be destroyed. A typical embryo develops normally. According to the principles of bioethics, every research procedure and therapeutic procedure should protect the dignity of each human being, with no exceptions. (Blesa, J. R., Tudela, J., & Aznar, J. 2016). Despite fact that several scientific challenges remain unresolved, therapeutic cloning has the potential to bring significant benefits to patients outweighing its ethical and practical difficulties, but further improvements are needed to make it clinically useful. The therapeutic cloning of human cells can be used for restoring movement following paralysis, preventing heart disease and cirrhosis, and repairing burns and osteoporosis, for instance. SCNT can be used instead of viral vectors to develop patient-specific cell lines to treat inherited conditions like disease caused by genetic defects and disease caused by neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. When millions of people suffer from chronic, life-threatening illnesses, where is the line between ethics and morality? Kfoury C. (2007).  References Blesa, J. R., Tudela, J., & Aznar, J. (2016). Ethical aspects of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA transfer. The Linacre Quarterly, 83(2) 179–191. https://doi.org/10.1080/00243639.2016.1180773

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Kfoury C. (2007). Therapeutic cloning: promises and issues. McGill journal of medicine : MJM : an international forum for the advancement of medical sciences by students, 10(2), 112–120. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2323472/ National Geographic Society. (2019). Cloning. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/cloning National Human Genome Research Institute. (2019). Cloning fact sheet. Genome.gov. https://www.genome.gov/aboutgenomics/fact-sheets/Cloning-Fact-Sheet 580 words

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Rommel Atijera - Sunday, 3 October 2021, 2:05 PM Hi Venessa, I admire your in-depth research about cloning and its implications for both science and ethics. I definitely agree with your perspective that with a well-regulated practice of such technology, the benefits humanity could gain in medicine and agriculture could outweigh its drawbacks. It could eliminate the concerns on genetic disorders and organ failures since cloning could be utilized in gene therapy and lab-grown body tissues. Indeed, there will always be the risk for professionals going beyond ethical barriers of such practice to the point that lives are treated like commodities. Just like what is shown in some science fiction movies, cloned organisms could be raised just to harvest their organs. I do hope that this dystopic future will not become our reality. I am just curious where do you stand on this topic, are you in support of or against cloning, let's say, of human beings? Hope you have a great week ahead. Regards, Rommel 157 words

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Venessa Venter - Wednesday, 6 October 2021, 8:49 PM Hi Rommel I must admit, I am conflicted on the topic of cloning human beings as it goes against everything I have been taught. On the other hand, I think it could help in instances where couples cant have children. 40 words

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Esther Faith Rosquillo - Monday, 4 October 2021, 12:11 PM Hello! It was amazing to learn from your research that cloning could have different ways to alleviate problems in our society's need now a days especially in terms of gene cloning, reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning. It is truly believe that as the technology prospers, scientist could brought up alot to offer in different perspectives especially in health to service the people who are in need through certain procedures for life's longevity throughout the generations to come. Thanks for the great insights.

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Joseph Richards - Monday, 4 October 2021, 11:14 PM Fantastic explanations. The reading is very smooth and I loved as you used examples while explaining like stem cells/skin. It made it very easy to follow along. I did not really follow what you meant by it violates the rights of the less educated though. 45 words

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Venessa Venter - Wednesday, 6 October 2021, 8:55 PM Hi Joseph "It violates the rights of the less educated " meaning that people who are not totally informed of the risks involved or fully educated, and only told of the positive aspects, can be faced with a very harsh reality if there are side effects they have not been informed about. In this regard, it violates their rights. 59 words

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Ganiyat Oseni - Thursday, 7 October 2021, 1:40 AM Good job 2 words

Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Ganiyat Oseni - Thursday, 7 October 2021, 1:42 AM Good work 2 words

Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Kristel Guimara (Instructor) - Thursday, 7 October 2021, 3:15 PM Ganiyat, Your response is much too short and thus invalid. As per the directions, your response needs to be 2-3 complete, sentences. 22 words

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Farah Ghunaim - Thursday, 7 October 2021, 3:19 AM Excellent work Venessa!  It was fascinating to hear from your study that cloning might be used in a variety of ways to address current societal needs, particularly in the areas of gene cloning, reproductive cloning, and therapeutic cloning. It is my firm belief that as technology advances, scientists will be able to give a great deal in various fields, particularly health, to help those in need https://my.uopeople.edu/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=583097

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BIOL 1121 - AY2022-T1: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment

through specific treatments that will ensure life's longevity for future generations. Keep up the good work! 82 words

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Limbikani Kachikunje - Thursday, 7 October 2021, 6:28 AM well presented and informative. I look forward to reading more of your submissions. Thank you 15 words

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Joseph Richards - Saturday, 2 October 2021, 5:53 PM Somatic cells are human cells and are diploid, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a technique where the nucleus of a somatic cell is transferred to the cytoplasm of an enucleated egg. A culture is taken at the blastocyst stage where a culture of the stem cells can be created from the cell mass (Stocum, n.d.) So a nucleus of a cell is taken and put into the cytoplasm of an egg and grown. From there stem cell cultures can be taken and further grown to make a clone. This has advantages such as growing tissues, possibly organs, and other cells that have been damaged. This can be used in agriculture such as breeding (cloning) animals that gave off good quality (chickens, cows, etc). This even has the potential to bring back extinct animals. We just need a somatic cell from a frozen sample. I think cloning has amazing possibilities. Some positive points would be curing autoimmune diseases. Let us say cloning your healthy cells and destroying the antigen cells. Using cultures and cloning techniques you would be able to speed up the body's natural process making that possible. Further evolutionary advancement by picking up healthier and stronger cells to keep alive. There are also agricultural advancements like previously mentioned. We can clone the healthier animals to increase our production which I think is a more sustainable option than mass production and huge farms where animals are crowded together. One animal that produces 3x the results takes 3x less room and food to provide for. Mostly I only see morally wrong issues with cloning. From a religious viewpoint, it goes against the natural order of creation and gives man the power to "play god". One of the biggest controversies to cloning is the destruction of embryos. Is this murder or science? With that in mind, another issue is that embryos could become viewed as a commodity and not the point that they could potentially be turned into a living beings. Cloning also opens the possibility for only requiring one gender for genetic information which according to the fatwa (Islam) opposes the natural pattern of life. I think scientific cloning holds huge potential and should be further pursued. I understand the ethical issues and there is a show available on Netflix that paints the picture perfectly. It is called Alter Carboned and it is about transferring consciousness into other bodies (sleeves). If people could be cloned and then this could be done or used to expand the lifespans of humans. Increasing the longevity of humans I think is a great idea but it raises the problems of corrupt people staying in power and running monopolies. I think agriculturally it could help our global sustainability and help 3rd world countries. I think it could help cure diseases and handicapped people. I imagine someday we could even clone spinal cells and help crippled individuals. So while I think cloning holds great benefits and possibilities I think it needs to be strictly monitored.

References Stocum David, (n.d). Somatic cell nuclear transfer: Biology and Technology. Available at Britannica.com https://www.britannica.com/science/somatic-cell-nuclear-transfer 521 words

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Kristel Guimara (Instructor) - Sunday, 3 October 2021, 3:51 PM https://my.uopeople.edu/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=583097

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Joseph, Your mention of human cloning does bring upon quite a discussion that many researchers and scientists are continuously debating upon. It is often a key topic of discussion amongst each student every semester. To add to this discussion, I would like to interject here for a moment on the plausibility of human cloning. Spare me a few minutes as I try to explain the complication in such an act. (Please note: Included is the chemical construct of a human. An individual’s personality cannot be replicated). To begin, 59 elements are needed to construct a human. Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, calcium, hydrogen and phosphorus account for roughly 99.1% of what is in a human. The rest of the percentage is a bit unexpected and a bit unknown. To make this a bit easier, we can set aside genetic mutations, SRX genes (the gene that decides if you are born a male or female), components of the brain, and hereditary traits that differ when exposed to environmental influences. Let’s take a moment to look purely on the chemical elements that are detailed and, often times, specific in the amount needed. For instance, each individual requires roughly o.oooooo1 % of thorium and about 0.1% of cadium (Side note: cadium is very toxic but our fatty tissues absorb it and breakdown the toxicity.). Even more random, each cell within our body contains about a million selenium atoms. The importance of selenium was only, recently, understood to attribute to individuals with selenium deficiency and was found to be linked to hypertension, arthritis, anemia, and select cancer types. Our bodies are, even, made up of cobalt, chromium, vanadium, tin, copper and a smattering of so many elements. All of these elements are balanced-carefully-in each individual. I guess what i am attempting to state is that we are all more than 7 octillion atoms that make an individual. Only 2 percent of the human genome codes for protein. Quite is unknown in the details of what the rest does and much more in what defines the construction of an individual. So until the entire genetic genome is deciphered.....it will be a wait for many ambitious scientists until this detail is (if ever) known. 366 words

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Joseph Richards - Monday, 4 October 2021, 11:58 PM Thank you for that! It's amazing to think of all we have learned on the body and its composition. And as you said too, the environmental factors playing part. Makes me wonder about if we ever will get the entire human genome (I think we will but probably not in my lifetime) and then study for environmental influencers also. 59 words

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Re: Unit 5: Discussion Assignment by Rommel Atijera - Monday, 4 October 2021, 6:21 AM Hi Joseph, Your discussion is well-made and very informative. I admire the way you pointed out the vast possibilities of applying the concept of cloning in improving human life. Like what I also stressed in my own post, agriculture can be enhanced by utilizing high-quality livestock breeds that could eventually solve our concern on global hunger. However, we cannot ignore the ethical implications of such a practice. I am delighted you also mentioned the possibility of researchers “play god” due to the diminishing value of organisms that are artificially synthesized for human consumption. I do hope that this would not happen in our lifetime. Your standpoint on the side of Islam is eye-opening because I was unaware that issue is also being stressed in this religion. I agree that cloning may oppose the natural order of life.

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I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future.

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