Computer Science Assignment - Personal Journal

Reading 3:

Cloning

There have been very few topics which have garnered more attention than the topic of “Human Cloning” which has been at the forefront of the scientific ethical debate since its inception.

Cloning for the objective of stem cell research and organ propagation should be allowed as it will enable the mankind to find cure for some of the most dreaded ad incurable illnesses and disorders. Since it is the only form of research that can benefit the mankind in no other way possible, there should be no hindrance to its pursuit by the medical community. But this is not as simple as it looks as most technologies of the world do not get confined to the good members of the society and they are misused for the personal interests of some people. This leads to a very important consideration that “just because we can do it, should we do it?”

The controversy basically emanates from the ethical problem that cloning of humans basically will hinder with the natural birth and death of an individual and its repercussions for the family and society at large. It is a well understood fact that in spite of considerable progression of science, humans have not been able to conquer death and it remains the most dreaded truth of human race. The fact that cloning will empower humans to give birth to identical human beings by making copies of the dead will not only be unnatural but very threat to the existence of human race as we know it. Human cloning will make sure any human being does not remain unique and single most creation of nature and he or she is replaceable and reproducible by artificial means. This will eliminate value of an individual as a person and he will only remain a piece of product that can be manufactured in laboratory. People with genetically undesirable traits may find no takers and parents would like to design their own offspring’s with the most desired list of attributes leading them to treat their child as a possession rather than symbol of emotions.

Cloning is a breakthrough in the path of scientific progression and thus it is highly improbable that it will be limited to the good hands and will somehow get exploited to serve personal and evil interest, hence it is advisable to ban complete human cloning but only allow it to grow organs so that some of the most irreparable damages to the human body can be treated.

CLONING LAB

1. Compare and contrast the following methods of Cloning:

Embryo Twinning and Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Though, both of above techniques involve a surrogate mother and create a perfect genetic copy, but following variations can be found between them: In case of Embryo Twinning, sperm and egg-cell may fuse and shape zygote. Further, the cells of an early embryo are divided manually and transferred into a surrogate mother so that, they could result into clones while in Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer technique, genetic information is introduced into an egg-cell from which nucleus has been removed (means, an enucleated egg-cell).Subsequently, the egg- cell is chemically stimulated for division, and implemented into surrogate mother for the purpose of clone generation.

2. How does Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) differ from the natural way of making an embryo?

In this technique, the entire set of chromosomes belongs to a single source (nucleus of somatic cell) unlike natural way in which, chromosomes are donated by two distinct sources: egg and sperm.

3. Briefly explain the medical reasons for cloning.

Cloning can be used for creation of animal models with the intention that, the pathway adopted by a disease could be understood and treated further. It may also be applied for generation of cells/ organs required for therapeutic purposes. In addition, life-saver drugs could be produced with the help of animal and/ or plant cloning.

4. List reasons, other than medical, for cloning.

Cloning can assist in revival of such species that are either endangered, or extinct. It can also be used for reproduction of a deceased creature, and for the creation of an exact copy of a

human-being.

5. What was the first organism to be cloned? How was it done? In what year did this take place?

Sea urchin was the first creature to be cloned. The task was performed in1885 through shaking of a two-celled embryo that resulted into separation of cells.

6. What was the first organism to be cloned using nuclear transfer?

In the beginning, a frog was cloned via nuclear transfer technique.

7. How were the first cows cloned?

The first cow was cloned through electro-fusion technique which was applied for fusion of embryonic cell and enucleated egg-cell.

8. What organism helped prove that cloning could be done using cells from males (up to this point all cloning experiments had been carried out using cells from females)? What was the organism’s name?

A mouse (renowned as Fibro) was used to establish above phenomenon.

9. In what year was the first human clone created and what stage of development did it reach before it stopped growing?

The first cloned human embryo was produced in 2001 through the application of Advanced Cell Technology (ACT). Though, it reached up to the six-cell stage, but after that, its division terminated.

10. Give at least two reasons why a clone might not necessarily be a carbon copy of the donor organism.

A clone can differ from donor organism because of several reasons including diverse ecological features and variations in the gene-activation pattern which can transform the

physical, intellectual, and/or behavioral aspects of a creature.

Name the two animals (they are the same species) that serve as an example.

Cats Rainbow and CC can serve as an example here. Though, Rainbow and her clone, CC have the same genes, but there could be noticed a clear-cut difference in their body-color as Rainbow is calico while, CC is a tiger tabby (and without orange color).

11. List and briefly explain the risks of cloning.

Strange genetic expression: Non-standard reprogramming of transferred nuclei can produce strange results.

Telomeric distinction(s): As telomeres get short because of aging thus, cloning of aged creatures may create highly undesirable consequences.

Troubles during later developmental period: Organs bigger than normal ones could not get developed successfully.

High failure rate: Difficulties with the pregnancy, incompatibility between egg and nucleus, and/or developmental troubles all can result into the failure of cloning.

12. Choose two of the questions raised at the end of “What Are Some Issues In Cloning?” Write the questions and your responses to them below.

Question 1

Does cloning to create stem cells, also called therapeutic cloning, justify destroying a human embryo? Why, or why not?

My Response

Since, an embryo cannot be called “equal” to an already present human-being (even though, embryo has the potential to generate a human) thus, its destruction for therapeutical purposes appears logical in the light of the fact that it is not being performed to accomplish the

irrational desires, but for reducing the pain of a person.

Question 2

What are some of the social challenges a cloned child might face?

My Response

A number of persons believe that cloning counteracts a person's right to individualism. Because of such thought-pattern, a clone may be considered a parentless person with de-individualized identity. It can lead towards social rejection and isolation of a cloned child.

Reference

Cloning. 2014. Cloning. [ONLINE] Available at: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/. [Accessed 06 January 2014].

Reading 4:

Malls of the future: touch screen store

Windows made from 'connected glass'

Source /Web Link:- http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/11/tech/innovation/ebay-digital-storefronts-connected-glass/index.html

Summary of the article:-This article discusses about digital storefronts which uses “Connected Glass “Technology. Customers can browse through all the items available for sale on the connected glass storefront .When a customer is ready to purchase an available product, the touch screen will send all the required information to their mobile phones and they can complete the transaction via PayPal or with a credit or debit card. Customers can also enjoy giving their preference of time and delivery location

Companies using this technology:- Retailers Sony, TOMS and Rebecca Minkoff have all set up 'Connected Glass' points in the mall, which provide customers with a virtual shop within a real mall. Of the three, only Sony has a physical outlet there.

Connected Glass Technology brings the advantages of online (virtual) and new technologies to the physical (real) world. It is really an innovative hybrid shopping concept. More advantages are discussed below as:-

· Tracking shopper Behavior: - It tracks shopper behavior in physical stores. It will help companies in offering products in a more personalized way. Shopping analytics can be of great help in this regard and can generate more profits. Retailers will pay the company a cut of sales Also they get paid on per click, or per engagement. So it brings the online payment model in the physical retail world.

· Saves Lease Cost and generate more revenues:-This technology requires very less space as compared to a real store .So it can be easily installed in malls or other areas with where number of footfalls is very large. Also it is more affordable as it saves huge lease costs. This technology helps the company to generate more revenue and profit from the much larger physical commerce sector, not just online transactions.

· Security:-As all the transaction details are send on customer’s mobile number entered on big touch screen, confidentiality and security of payment details can be assured. It makes customers feel better because they're not punching in their credit card numbers into a giant public touch screen.

· Integration:- This technology can be considered as future for airports, train stations, and retail stores looking to integrate their e-commerce operations in brick and mortar experiences.

· Engagement and Commerce:- Using the Connected Glass Technology any glass surface can be turned into an engagement service with an emphasis on commerce We can take this technology and put it into glass in many forms. It can be adapted to interior glass, walls, tables, moveable kiosks, and outdoor surfaces.”

· Scalability: - eBay has filed several patents on the connected glass technology. And the company is sure regarding the scalability of this technology in coming future. This technology helps them to bring its retail technology to the offline experience. Company now wants to make more money in the physical retail world, not just from online transactions

· Future Plans: - Companies are planning to put the windows inside existing physical stores also. In coming years, technology can be installed into car windows. Drivers could drive up to hotel/restaurant and order their food on a touchable user interface and pay with their online banking account.

Clearly “Connected Glass” Technology has lot of benefits. But still there are some drawbacks/loopholes which are discussed below:-

· Absence of physical touch:- Many customers would purchase particular items only after getting experience of touching particular item. They would not even like to experience for checking out items on virtual touch screens.

· Product Returns:- Product returns can be higher for the items ordered using this technology as compared to products purchased from physical retail store. Simple reason for this can be “physical inspection is lower leading to increased likelihood of returns”

· Filling wrong Information:-By mistake, customers can fill wrong address during customer checkout or they can choose wrong product. So there can be more no of cancellations of orders even after the product has started for destination.

· Hacker’s action as middleman:-When transaction information is transmitted hackers can intercept the transmissions to obtain customers' sensitive information - like credit card numbers.

Effects of this technology:-- It is really an evolving technology.

As more retailers will enter markets in coming decades and expand operations, consumers’ buying patterns and shopping habits will also evolve.

This technology will give help retailers understand market dynamics, develop robust supply chains, choose the right product assortment and make their product available on touch screen (for easy navigation) to meet the needs of their diverse consumers and ultimately creating appositive brand image.