As a result of this process, exact genetic copies of the original gene, cell or organism can be produced. Cloning, or the exact duplication of specific genes and individual types of cells, has been an essential tool in biotechnology for more than 20 years. This technique is integral to the process used to produce breakthrough medicines and vaccines to treat heart attacks, kidney disease, diabetes, various cancers, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and other diseases. There is also research under way that will provide insight into methods for cloning human cells, organs and other tissue. This avenue of study could produce replacement skin, cartilage and bone tissue for burn and accident victims, as well as cells for cancer therapy.
Research is also ongoing to develop replacement internal organs for human transplantation.
In addition, cloning-related research is being used to genetically modify animals to produce proteins in their milk that can be therapeutically beneficial to humans. Cloning would allow for more efficient reproduction of such animals in the future. Biotech companies are also developing transgenic animals to use as models to test treatments for various life-threatening human diseases. Two methods have been used to clone, or duplicate, whole organisms. The first involves dividing an animal embryo into two or more separate entities.