Cloning for the Twenty-First Century and Its Place in Endangered Species Conservation

Cloning as it relates to the animal kingdom generally refers to the production of genetically identical individuals. Because cloning is increasingly the subject of renewed attention as a tool for rescuing endangered or extinct species, it seems timely to dissect the role of the numerous reproductive...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of animal biosciences 2024-02, Vol.12 (1), p.91-112
Main Authors: Cowl, Veronica B, Comizzoli, Pierre, Appeltant, Ruth, Bolton, Rhiannon L, Browne, Robert K, Holt, William V, Penfold, Linda M, Swegen, Aleona, Walker, Susan L, Williams, Suzannah A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
cloning
Cloning, Molecular
Cloning, Organism - methods
Cloning, Organism - veterinary
conservation
endangered
Endangered Species
Fishes - genetics
Nuclear Transfer Techniques - veterinary
reproduction
stem cells
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Summary:Cloning as it relates to the animal kingdom generally refers to the production of genetically identical individuals. Because cloning is increasingly the subject of renewed attention as a tool for rescuing endangered or extinct species, it seems timely to dissect the role of the numerous reproductive techniques encompassed by this term in animal species conservation. Although cloning is typically associated with somatic cell nuclear transfer, the recent advent of additional techniques that allow genome replication without genetic recombination demands that the use of induced pluripotent stem cells to generate gametes or embryos, as well as older methods such as embryo splitting, all be included in this discussion. Additionally, the phenomenon of natural cloning (e.g., a subset of fish, birds, invertebrates, and reptilian species that reproduce via parthenogenesis) must also be pointed out. Beyond the biology of these techniques are practical considerations and the ethics of using cloning and associated procedures in endangered or extinct species. All of these must be examined in concert to determine whether cloning has a place in species conservation. Therefore, we synthesize progress in cloning and associated techniques and dissect the practical and ethical aspects of these methods as they pertain to endangered species conservation.
ISSN:2165-8102
2165-8110
DOI:10.1146/annurev-animal-071423-093523