Understanding Cloning and Transplants: Key Concepts and Pioneers
Understanding Cloning: Definitions and Processes
Cloning is a process by which an identical copy of a living entity, such as a cell or an organism, is obtained from a genetic point of view.
Therapeutic Cloning: A Medical Application
Therapeutic cloning allows for the healing of a sick person by obtaining a clone of a few pluripotent cells or tissue that could be transplanted into the patient without risk of rejection. An autologous transplant involves an organ or tissue from your own body, while an allogeneic transplant involves an organ or tissue from another body that is transplanted into your body. Pluripotent cells are not capable of originating a new individual, but they can originate new tissues and platelets.
Key Concepts in Cellular Biology and Embryonic Development
- Totipotency: This is the set of cells capable of generating a complete individual. The zygote and the first eight cells resulting from its division (blastocysts) are totipotent.
- Pluripotent Cells: These are stem cells found within the late blastocyst, which cannot create a complete individual but retain the ability to form each of the cell types that comprise it.
- Implantation or Nesting: This is the second key point in embryonic development. This process occurs when the embryo implants in or nests on the uterine wall, which has been prepared for this event, covered with a layer called the endometrium. Only the fittest embryos reach the end of gestation; the rest of the zygotes or early embryos are naturally removed prior to implantation in the endometrium.
- Allogeneic: This is when the donor and recipient are individuals of the same species but are not genetically identical. This is the most common type of transplant, and there is a risk of rejection.
Pioneers in Transplantation and Cloning
Christiaan Barnard: This South African surgeon experimented for several years with heart transplants in animals, following the first successful kidney transplant in 1954. Barnard performed the first kidney transplant in South Africa in 1959 and the first heart transplant in the history of surgery in 1967.
Bernat Soria: Born in Carlet, Soria holds a doctorate in medicine from the University of Valencia. He was the coordinator of the European Network of Embryonic Stem Cells. In 2005, he received the prestigious Prix Galien for Best Research Work. He has published numerous articles in important international journals such as Diabetes and Steroids. He later served as Minister for Health and Consumption.
Richard Lawler: In June 1950, history was made at a hospital in Chicago when Dr. Richard H. Lawler performed the first successful kidney transplant.
Ian Wilmut: A British scientist, Wilmut is best known as a team member who, in 1996, cloned the first mammal from adult cells, the sheep Dolly. In November 2007, Wilmut decided to invest in the development of a method to obtain stem cells as versatile as embryonic stem cells, without cloning human beings.
Shinya Yamanaka: This Japanese researcher received the 2008 Prize for his recent innovations critical to reversing the process of cell differentiation in mammals, a phenomenon that advances our knowledge of developmental biology and holds great promise for treating human diseases and improving practices in agriculture.