There are 3 main types of DNA cloning; recombinant,
therapeutic, and reproductive.
Recombinant cloning is the cloning of genes. Using a
specific fragment of DNA to self-replicate by being in that genetic environment.
The DNA of interest can be put into a foreign cell. This technology has been
around since the 1970s.
Therapeutic cloning also referred to as "embryo
cloning" is done mainly for the production of human research with human
embryos. This research is to help the study of cures for disease. The first
human embryos clone for the purpose of advancing therapeutic research was
announced in 2001.
Reproductive cloning is to generate another animal or
human by using the same Nuclear DNA. Nuclear DNA is the DNA contained in
your chromosomes. The infamous "Dolly", the sheep and first animal to be
cloned born July 5th, 1996, was cloned by reproductive cloning. Contrary to what
might have been said, "Dolly" was not an exact replica of her donor, she
had
mitochondria from the egg cytoplasm. (mitochondrial DNA has a different
DNA than the Nuclear DNA. Furthermore, we have yet to use this type of
cloning on humans.....so we are told.
Dogs, mice, pigs, sheep, goats, cows, cats, rabbits, and a
gaur. A tadpole was the first creature cloned, in 1952.
Hundreds of cloned animals exist today. Attempts at cloning
certain species such as monkeys, chickens, horses, and dogs, have been
unsuccessful.
You can get your own DNA analyzed at
Ancestry.com DNA testing.
They test your Mitochondrial DNA which is passed from your mother, Y Chromosome
DNA which is passed from your father and even Nuclear DNA which you get from all
your ancestors.