Therapeutic cloning, also called somatic cell nuclear transfer, is a method for creating diverse stem cells independent of fertilized eggs. The cells containing genetic material are removed from an unfertilized egg.
The nucleus is also removed from somatic cells from a donor, and the donor's nucleus is then injected into the egg to replace the removed nucleus, in a process called nuclear transfer. The egg is allowed to divide and soon forms a blastocyst. This process creates a population of stem cells genetically identical to the donor; what was originally a clone of cells. Some researchers believe that stem cells derived from therapeutic cloning may offer advantages over fertilized eggs because the cloned cells are less likely to be rejected after implantation into the donor.
It may also allow researchers to learn exactly how a disease develops. Researchers have not been able to successfully perform therapeutic cloning in humans, despite success in several other species.
However, in recent studies, researchers have been able to create pluripotent human stem cells by modifying the therapeutic cloning process. Researchers continue to study the potential of therapeutic cloning in humans. To compensate for the loss of heart muscle cells in cardiovascular disease, we need sufficient numbers and functional heart muscle cells to improve heart function.
