The Birth of Dolly: Revolution in Biotechnology

Abstract

In 1996, the birth of Dolly, the first sheep cloned from an adult somatic cell, marked a milestone in biotechnology and sparked intense debate on the ethical and scientific implications of cloning. Dolly was created through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), demonstrating that a differentiated cell could be reprogrammed to a totipotent state. This breakthrough opened possibilities in medicine, such as the creation of transplantable organs and the conservation of endangered species. However, it also raised ethical concerns, particularly about human cloning and the welfare of cloned animals, as Dolly suffered from health problems. Despite the controversies, Dolly's legacy has driven the development of technologies like induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which offer immense therapeutic potential without the ethical dilemmas of cloning. Dolly’s legacy remains significant in modern science, highlighting the need to balance innovation with ethical responsibility.