Kloonitud

Kloonitud is an Estonian term describing something that has been produced by cloning, typically referring to organisms, cells, or tissues that are genetically identical to a donor. The concept covers both the creation of a whole organism and the production of cells or tissues for research or medical use.

Two main branches are distinguished in cloning. Reproductive cloning aims to create a living organism that is genetically identical to the donor. Therapeutic cloning seeks to obtain cells or tissues for treatment or research, without producing a cloned individual. The methods most commonly associated with cloning include somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), where the nucleus of a donor cell is inserted into an enucleated egg, and embryo splitting, which yields genetically identical individuals at early developmental stages. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology is related to cloning concepts but does not always produce a whole organism.

Historical milestones include the birth of Dolly the sheep in 1996, the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell. Since then, various species have been cloned, especially in agricultural and biomedical contexts. Cloning has contributed to research, agricultural breeding programs, and discussions about conservation, though practical and ethical considerations limit its widespread use.

Applications of kloonitud span several areas. In agriculture, cloning can fix desirable traits; in medicine, it supports cell-based therapies and disease models; in conservation, it is discussed as a potential tool for endangered species, albeit with ecological and genetic concerns. Ethical and regulatory issues are central to the topic. Many countries prohibit reproductive human cloning and regulate therapeutic cloning and related research to address welfare, safety, and societal implications. Ongoing scientific and policy debates shape how cloning technologies are developed and applied.