Tissue cloning
Taking cuttings has been around for many years now. It is a cheap and easy technique in producing several new plants from an old one. A more modern method is know as 'Tissue culture.' This involves providing an old plant with the right hormones and condition so that it produces many new cells.
Scientists can then stimulate these cells to develop into new and complete plants with the use of more hormones. They must be kept in moist conditions until their roots fully develop. This method of cloning guarantees that we can produce thousands of new plants which all have the desired characteristics of the old plant. This is why it is done today by farmers |
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Advantages
1. We can produce many copies of the same plants which may be used to produce plants with better flowers, odors, fruits or any other properties of the plants that are beneficial to the human beings. 2. If there is plant with partially infected tissue, it is possible to produce a new plant without infection. 3. Very useful solution for the prevention of starvation in third world countries since the process is highly efficient, by using only one plant, it is possible to produce more than one thousand of the same plant with higher productive if its genome changed. 4. The equipments are cheaper when compared to the animal cell culture. |
Disadvantages
1. The costs of the equipment are very expensive. 2. The procedure is very variable and it depends on the type of the species so sometimes it needs trial-and-error type of experiments if there is not any review about that species. 3. The procedure needs special attention and diligently done observation. It is very tricky and doesn't always work. 4. There may be error in the identity of the organisms after culture. 5. Infection may continue thorough generations easily if possible precautions are not taken 6. Decrease genetic variability so reduces chances of a species surviving. |
Why is tissue culture used?
Tissue culture is used for many reasons but the 3 major reasons are:
In terms of ethical issues, there aren't any with tissue culture because this technique will only benefit us. We care more about cloning animals because this could lead to the cloning of humans. In my opinion, this could harm the plants as variety is reduced but it will be worth it because we can solve many issues with producing lots of plants.
Some people would argue that we are harming the plants if we clone them. If variety is reduced, the plants can't evolve and become better adapted to their environment. The majority of the population would all have the same characteristics so the species are more likely to go extinct. In a more natural population, at least one or two of the members would have the ability to survive difficult conditions. This applies to animals as well.
Tissue culture is used for many reasons but the 3 major reasons are:
- To produce large quantities of plants for the sake of volume. If we cloned plants in mass amounts, global issues such as poverty and world hunger could be solved. The poeple in third world countries would have enough food to eat.
- To speed up the production of new varieties into the market place.
- To establish and maintain virus free stock. If the plant cultures become infected with fungus or bacteria, the pathogens soon take over and kill the cultures.
In terms of ethical issues, there aren't any with tissue culture because this technique will only benefit us. We care more about cloning animals because this could lead to the cloning of humans. In my opinion, this could harm the plants as variety is reduced but it will be worth it because we can solve many issues with producing lots of plants.
Some people would argue that we are harming the plants if we clone them. If variety is reduced, the plants can't evolve and become better adapted to their environment. The majority of the population would all have the same characteristics so the species are more likely to go extinct. In a more natural population, at least one or two of the members would have the ability to survive difficult conditions. This applies to animals as well.