Uses of Human Cloning:

actual and potential

Work
on
cloning
techniques
has
advanced our basic understanding of
developmental
biology
in
humans.
Observing human pluripotent stem cells
grown in culture provides great insight
into human embryo development,
which otherwise cannot be seen.
Scientists are now able to better define
steps of early human development.
Studying signal transduction along with
genetic manipulation within the early
human embryo has the potential to
provide
answers
to
many
developmental diseases and defects.
Many human-specific signaling pathways
have been discovered by studying
human embryonic stem cells. Studying
developmental pathways in humans has
given developmental biologists more
evidence toward the hypothesis that
developmental pathways are conserved
throughout species. iPSCs and cells
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created by SCNT are useful for research

into the causes of disease, and as model
systems used in drug discovery. Cells
produced with SCNT, or iPSCs could
eventually be used in stem cell
therapy, or to create organs to be used
in
transplantation,
known
as
regenerative medicine. Stem cell
therapy is the use of stem cells to treat
or prevent a disease or condition. Bone
marrow transplantation is a widely
used form of stem cell therapy. No other
forms of stem cell therapy are in clinical
use at this time. Research is underway to
potentially use stem cell therapy to treat
heart disease, diabetes, and spinal cord
injuries. Regenerative medicine is not in
clinical
practice,
but
is
heavily
researched for its potential uses. This
type of medicine would allow for
autologous
transplantation,
thus
removing the risk of organ transplant
rejection by the recipient. For instance, a
person
with
liver
disease
could
potentially have a new liver grown using
their
same
genetic
material
and
transplanted to remove the damaged
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liver. In current research, human

pluripotent stem cells have been
promised as a reliable source for
generating human neurons, showing the
potential for regenerative medicine in
brain and neural injuries.

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