Cloning vs. Imaging: Understanding the Key Differences

Cloning is the creation of identical organisms. Reproductive and therapeutic cloning has given rise to political and religious controversy. Imaging is a visual reproduction of an object and has not given cause for debate. There are many forms of imaging, including medical and personal.

Reproductive Cloning

• Reproductive cloning is defined as technology used to create an animal with the identical nuclear DNA taken from an existing or previously existing animal. This has been done successfully with a sheep, which was cloned in 1997.

Therapeutic Cloning

• Another name for therapeutic cloning is embryo cloning. It is the act of extracting stem cells from eggs that were removed from a woman's ovaries. The stem cells are then used in research.

Medical Imaging

• In the medical field, X rays, CT scans and ultrasounds are all types of imaging. These are used to help doctors treat their patients.

Personal Imaging

• Imaging is used in the form of digital photography, video and film photography on a daily basis. Photocopying a document is also a form of imaging.

Speculation

• It is an opinion of some that cloning should not be a part of science because it allows scientists to act like God. Imaging does not give rise to such speculation.