Clo(w)ning Around With Stem Cells

Cloning is the creation of cells using DNA from a single "parent" whereby the normal reproductive process is bypassed. The clone has identical DNA to the parent.

There are three different forms of cloning: DNA Cloning, Reproductive Cloning and Therapeutic Cloning.

1. DNA Cloning: The transfer of a DNA fragment from one organism to a self-replicating genetic element such as a bacterial plasmid is known as DNA Cloning. This technology has been around since the 1970s, and has become a common practice in molecular biology labs today. (‘DNA Cloning’ ‘Recombinant DNA technology’ ‘Molecular Cloning’ ‘Gene Cloning’ all refer to the same process).
2. Reproductive Cloning: Reproductive Cloning is a technology used to generate an animal that has the same nuclear DNA as another animal. Dolly the sheep was created by Reproductive Cloning technology.
3. Therapeutic Cloning: Therapeutic cloning, also called "Embryo Cloning," is the production of human embryos for use in research. The goal of this process is not to create cloned human beings, but rather to harvest stem cells, which would then be used to study human development for treating diseases.

There are two methods of cloning.

1. ARTIFICIAL EMBRYO TWINNING
2. SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER.

1.      Artificial Embryo Twinning: This method is an old and low-tech method of cloning which mimics the natural process of the birth of twins. In this method a zygote is manually divided into two. Each cell is allowed to divide and develop on its own. The resulting embryos are put into a surrogate mother where they are carried to term and delivered. Since both embryos have developed from the same zygote they are   genetically similar.

2.      Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT): This method was used to create Dolly, the cloned sheep (she was the first cloned mammal). To make a clone, first the somatic cell is isolated from the body of an adult. The nucleus of the somatic cell is removed and put into an egg cell whose nucleus has been removed. The embryo is put into a surrogate mother and is carried to term. This clone is an identical genetic copy of the adult from whom the somatic cell had been taken.

Cloning of Stem Cells: A Solution to degenerative Diseases

What are Stem Cells: Stem cells are master cells of the body that can transform themselves into virtually any of the 200 kinds of cells that exist in the human body. This means that in theory at least, these stem cells can be 'grown to order' to help people suffering from degenerative diseases.

1. What is so special about stem cells? Stem cells differ from other kinds of cells in the body because all stem cells — regardless of their source — have three general properties: they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods; they are non-specific; and they can give rise to specific cell types.
2. How many kinds of stem cells are there? The human body has two kinds of stem cells: Embryonic Stem Cells and Adult Stem Cells.
   • Embryonic Stem Cells: Embryonic stem cells, as their name suggests, are derived from embryos that are developed from egg cells, which have been fertilized and then donated for research purposes. They are not derived from eggs fertilized in a woman's body. The embryos from which human embryonic stem cells are derived are typically four or five days old and are a hollow microscopic ball of cells called ‘blastocyst’.
   • Adult Stem Cells: An adult stem cell is an unspecific cell found among specific cells in a tissue or organ. It can renew itself and can differentiate to yield the major specialized cell types of the tissue or organ. An adult stem cell maintains and repairs the tissue in which it is found. Some scientists now use the term somatic stem cell instead of adult stem cell. Unlike embryonic stem cells, the origin of adult stem cells in mature tissues is unknown.

3.     Problems in Cloning Stem Cells:

·        The first big problem with stem cells is where to get them. Everyone has stem cells — they exist in the bone marrow. For example, new blood cells are constantly regenerating. But in adults and children, these are already partly specialised. Many researchers doubt that they are truly capable of developing into any kind of cell.

·        The second problem is ethical issues. Scientist, sociologists and theologians wonder if it is right to tamper with nature.

·        To create human embryonic stem cells for research, some of the blastocyst's cells are isolated, harvested and allowed to grow in a separate dish. To turn them into long-lasting stem cell lines, the cells are fed special growth factors. The embryo is destroyed in the process.

4.     Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloning Stem Cells: There are many ways in which human stem cells can be used. However, there are many technical hurdles between the promise of stem cells and the realization of these uses. These problems can only be overcome by continued intensive stem cell research.

·        Advantages:

Ø      Cloning of Stem Cells can cure some of the most serious diseases like cancer.

Ø      Cloning stem cells promises to one day eliminate birth defects.

Ø      Cloned human Stem Cells can also be used to test drugs.

Ø      Stem Cells can be differentiated into specific cell types to treat degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s etc.

Ø      Stem Cells can be used to replace old and diseased tissues and organs of the body.

·        Disadvantages:

Ø      While extracting a human embryonic stem cell for research, the embryo from which the stem cell has been removed is destroyed.

Ø      Not enough is known about Stem Cells to differentiate stem cells.

Tremendous research needs to be done on Stem cells before we can reap the benefits of this new frontier in science. Society also needs to address the ethical issues involved in it. But if it is possible to achieve and clone stem cells to perfection, then it would be the greatest leap in scientific history.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Scientific American (Magazine) 16/12/01, 30/04/01, 09/06/03
2. Popular Science (Magazine) 14/11/02
3. New Scientist (Magazine) 24/07/03
4. www.ornl.gov
5. www.liebertpub.com
6. www.nih.gov
7. www.newscientist.com
8. www.bbc.co.uk
9. Genetics today by Jagjit Singh
10. Gene Play by Parul R. Sheth
11. Science (Magazine) 08/03/02
12. Time (Magazine) 16/02/01
13. Indian Express (Newspaper) 11/08/03

-Mithila Mehta --Std. 10

We live in an insane world- there is a day dedicated to everyone – from Receptionist’s day (12/2/04) Nurses’ day (6/5/04) Tax day (15/4/04) Boss’s day (16/10/04) and of course not to mention April Fool’s Day…!!!!!!

April fool’s Day at BIS is in a league of its own…and if I were to say that April fool's Day at BIS is nothing out of the ordinary-I would be lying. Although everyday at BIS involves so much mischief and so many pranks that April fools day is a daily year-long phenomenon, we BIS kids are in fact smart enough to think of that extra eyebrow-raising outlandishly-daring outrageously-unheard of prank for this extra-special day (I get an award for using all those hyphens in a single sentence!)

So here is the 411 on Aprils Fool's Day 2004 (with a few exaggerations I of course)

The most ingenious and inventive class was by far STD 7 (According to my brother, they pulled a total of 7 pranks on the teachers) From creepy crawly spiders (fake of course) to hiding in the class cupboard and then pouncing on the unassuming teacher, they did it all… A couple of 10^th Std kids did try to sabotage STD 7’s carefully designed plans by telling the teachers about them …how very mean!!!~!

And of course STD 7’s masterpiece ---The entire class, save a dozen children picked up their bags and hid in the adjoining music room. When Ms Khubi reached their class for her period, she was informed by a group of straight-faced 12 year olds that the rest of the class was "absent". (Yep-- they definitely deserve Oscars- If I had been there I would’ve been dying with laughter !!!!!J ) Ms Khubi was initially stumped but soon caught the prank when she heard muffled giggles from the music room…. One up on the teachers!!!

STD 10 were not left far behind either…we wrote a letter supposedly from Ms. Daruvalla to Sir Ghosh, telling him that " I am sick and tired of Class 10. I do not wish to have any interaction whatsoever with them in the future. I have developed a severe backache thanks to this class. Please see that Sir Yadav is made their class teacher" (I’m not too sure of the exact wordings now- but you get the picture) And sir Ghosh actually took the letter seriously!!!! Gotcha Sir Ghosh!!!

But the teachers had plans of their own!!! Ms. Pinto gave Std 10 a Julius Caesar test… which we later realized was a joke when we read the question, " Relate the Ides of March to April Fool’s Day !!!!!!!!!" hahaha on you Std 10……..

Well it must seem to you by now that BIS kids are a bunch of devious, unruly, wild and mischievous tricksters, but I assure you, no, no, no we are not. We are sweet and kind and sincere and wonderful and creative and bright and intelligent and inspiring and amazing and… oh ok so you guys get the message….Anyways…HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!!!! (writing in CAPS is looks awesome!!!…) and just an afterthought--- considering so many people like me love this day so much, shouldn’t it be declared a national holiday or something???