The fundamental difference between the two methods is that molecular cloning involves replication of the DNA in a living microorganism, while PCR replicates DNA in an in vitro solution, free of living cells.
A diferenza fundamental entre estes dous métodos é que a clonación molecular implica a replicación do ADN nun organismo vivo, mentres que a PCR replica o ADN nunha solución in vitro, sen células vivas.