Cloning: How and Why

Recently, the world was electrified when scientists in Roslin, Scotland, successfully cloned the first mammal--a sheep named Dolly. Since then, the breakthroughs in this field have been many, and the biotech market has soared. Beginning with a basic review of sexual reproduction and DNA, this video does exactly what the title suggests: defines and explains the cloning process, and then discusses the implications. Although this is an intrinsically interesting topic, the "how" is presented in such a visually uncreative manner that it's hard to stay with the program. Key terms are not explained and footage is sometimes recycled. The "why" section is somewhat better, addressing the issue of creating animals with increased productivity, the significance of cloning in treating and studying human disease, and the moral implications of human cloning. As biotechnology advances, it is important that a basic understanding is reached by students who may someday be harnessing nuclei themselves. This video provides a solid, if visually dry, introduction. Two other related titles are also available: Gene Guns and Genetic Engineering. Optional. Aud: H, C, P. (E. Gieschen)