Definition of Reproductive Cloning

Reproductive cloning is a process in which a cloned embryo is implanted into a uterus which may be a real or an artificial one. If the implantation is successful, it results in the development of the embryo into a fetus which is then allowed to grow till its term.

The experiments related to reproductive cloning were executed for many years in such a way that the embryo at its early stage is manually divided into two parts. Each part is composed of one cell and then these two cells develop into two identical embryos.

After years, the technique of somatic cell nuclear transfer was introduced. In this technique, the whole nucleus of the somatic cell is removed and then this nucleus is introduced into the enucleated egg cell. This results in the formation of a cloned embryo and hence a cloned organism.