• Question: would it be possible to create a clone of someone and they are literally "reborn"?

    Asked by rebecca1 to Jemma, John, Lisa, Sam, David, Mus, Tess, Yue on 15 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by niamhw53.
    • Photo: Lisa Fitzgerald

      Lisa Fitzgerald answered on 15 Jun 2012:

      Hi @rebecca1, great question :),

      Scientist have cloned mammals before: google molly the sheep. And I guess could theoretically transfer someone’s DNA to an embryo and a “clone” could be born. Ignoring the obvious ethical implications however, there are a few issues with this.

      Firstly as we age our DNA strands shorten which is part of the reason we age and become more frail. A “clone” would start at this aged position and will likely not be that healthy.

      Secondly even if the various issues could be overcome, we are not just shaped by our DNA. We grow up to be who we are and how we are because of a combination of genetics, our environment and future DNA mutations. Any “clone” would therefore never be identical to the original organism.

      So no I don’t think you could be reborn.

      Hope this answers your question!

      Lisa

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