DNA Cloning 

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.

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 Family Tree DNA. 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.

DNA Cloning - back to Why is DNA so important ?