How cloning works

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How cloning works

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) is the scientific term for cloning and it vital in the study of embryonic stem cell research. The media doesn’t want you to think that SCNT is really cloning, but do not be fooled. Embryonic stem cell research is intimately linked to human cloning.

First, the nucleus from an unfertilized egg containing the 23 chromosomes from donor woman is removed and replaced with the nucleus of an adult cell (often an adult skin cell) of the person to be cloned.
The egg is now fertilized, containing the exact same 46 chromosomes of the donor.
The fertilized egg is activated by an electrical charge and then begins the normal process of development.
The new embryo or blastocyst, is an exact genetic match to the donor.
The newly developed embryo, can be used for two types of cloning: reproductive and therapeutic. Blastocyst is an early stage embryo between four or five days old, made up of about 150 cells.