Clone: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term 'clone' comes from the Greek word 'klon,' which means 'a twig' or 'a branch,' reflecting how plants can be cloned from cuttings.
• The word gained popularity in biological sciences during the 20th century as scientists started experimenting with copy-making techniques in cells.

Science

• Dolly the sheep, born in 1996, was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell, demonstrating that cloning could recreate full organisms.
• Cloning is used in agriculture to reproduce plants with desirable traits, ensuring consistent quality and yield.
• Scientists also explore cloning for medical purposes, like creating tissues or organs that match a patient's genetic information.

Pop Culture

• Movies like 'The Island' and 'Jurassic Park' explore themes related to cloning, often raising ethical questions about cloning technology.
• Video games, such as 'Starcraft,' feature cloning as a way to create soldiers or characters with enhanced abilities.

Ethics

• Cloning raises important ethical discussions about identity and individual rights, especially concerning animals and humans.
• Many countries have regulations governing cloning practices, particularly with regard to human cloning, which is largely banned.

Literature

• Famous novels like 'Brave New World' and 'Never Let Me Go' explore the implications of cloning in society, addressing issues of humanity and autonomy.
• Cloning is often a central theme in science fiction, prompting thoughts about the future of human evolution and genetic manipulation.

At position #14,572, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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