The most widely publicized form of cloning is reproductive cloning. Reproductive cloning is used to create an animal with the same genetic DNA as the animal it was cloned from. "Dolly" the sheep, the first animal cloned from adult DNA, is a popular example.
There are three types of cloning. Including the reproductive cloning that created "Dolly," therapeutic and recombinant DNA technology also exist.
Cloning is widely researched to find ways that certain undesirable genes, such as those for illnesses and birth defects, can be eliminated. In addition, certain animals with desirable traits could be repeatedly reproduced.
The first animal clone was a tiny tadpole created in 1952. After "Dolly," goats, mice, pigs, rabbits, cats and cows were successfully cloned. Even a species of ox, known as a gaur, has been cloned.
The goal of cloning is to create healthier animals and humans. With more research, it could be possible to use cloning to create organs needed for transplants.