What Is SCNT (Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer)?SCNT is another method for cloning. Unlike artificial embryo twinning, it does not mimic any natural processes. The process requires two kinds of cells: an egg cell and a somatic stem cell. A somatic stem cell is an undifferentiated adult stem cell (meaning it has no defined role in the body). Stem cells can give rise to any number of different kinds of cells because they do contain DNA (MD). In cloning, the nuclei of stem and egg cells (containing DNA) are removed and replaced ("WHAT"). The result is an embryo that will grow and develop into a clone of the stem cell donor.
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How Is It Done?In order for SCNT to be successful, there must be a somatic cell donor, an egg cell donor, an a surrogate mother. The process is fairly simple, but precise. First, the egg cell's nucleus is sucked out of the egg cell- this is known as enucleation. This allows for any nucleus to be inserted into the cell, potentially. So, the next step is to remove the nucleus of a somatic stem cell and place the nucleus in the egg cell ("Process"). After the cell begins to multiply and grow (with the aid of a cell multiplying solution), the embryo is inserted into the surrogate mother, where it will be carried until it is fully grown and birthed. The resulting organism is an identical genetic copy of the the somatic stem cell donor.
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An egg cell being prepared for cloning and nuclear transfer to complete the process of SCNT.