Difference between revisions of "Clone"
m |
Darth Servo (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
A '''clone''' is an identical twin to a living organism artificially grown from sample cells. In reality, a clone has none of the knowledge or experience of the creature that supplied its genetic material, and it grows to maturity at the normal rate for its species. In biological research and engineering, the term 'cloning' may simply mean making copies of a particular gene or genes. | A '''clone''' is an identical twin to a living organism artificially grown from sample cells. In reality, a clone has none of the knowledge or experience of the creature that supplied its [[DNA|genetic material]], and it grows to maturity at the normal rate for its species. In biological research and engineering, the term 'cloning' may simply mean making copies of a particular gene or genes. | ||
== Clones in Science Fiction == | == Clones in Science Fiction == | ||
[[Image:Trek clone.jpg|thumb|right|Cloning device from TNG "Up the Long Ladder"]]Like many scientific concepts, cloning has been thoroughly misunderstood by people who write science fiction. Shows like [[Star Trek]] portray the cloning process as creating a complete mature adult from scratch, as seen in the accompanying picture from the [[TNG]] episode "Up The Long Ladder". | [[Image:Trek clone.jpg|thumb|right|Cloning device from TNG "Up the Long Ladder"]]Like many scientific concepts, cloning has been thoroughly misunderstood by people who write [[science fiction]]. Shows like [[Star Trek]] portray the cloning process as creating a complete mature adult from scratch, as seen in the accompanying picture from the [[TNG]] episode "Up The Long Ladder". | ||
Clones also often possess skills at the time of their "birth" that take years for a 'normal' human(oid) to learn, as is the case with the [[Jem'Hadar]], which are grown and combat ready in a matter of days. In the film ''Multiplicity'', the clones even had the complete memories of the original person who donated his genetic material: the clone at first believed himself to be the original person. To say this is not how cloning works is an enormous understatement. | Clones also often possess skills at the time of their "birth" that take years for a 'normal' human(oid) to learn, as is the case with the [[Jem'Hadar]], which are grown and combat ready in a matter of days. In the film ''Multiplicity'', the clones even had the complete memories of the original person who donated his genetic material: the clone at first believed himself to be the original person. To say this is not how cloning works is an enormous understatement. | ||
For all their other fanciful or unrealistic aspects, films like [[Star Wars]] and ''Jurassic Park'' show a far more accurate portrayal of cloning. | For all their other fanciful or unrealistic aspects, films like [[Star Wars]] and ''Jurassic Park'' show a far more accurate portrayal of cloning. In ''[[Star Wars: Attack of the Clones]]'', we witnessed the clones in various phases of development: embryonic, childhood, and adult. In ''Jurassic Park'', we saw the cloned dinosaurs hatching from eggs. | ||
==Clones in Star Trek== | ==Clones in Star Trek== | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
The [[Klingon Empire]] has the technology to create a clone from a DNA sample, grow it at an accelerated rate and imprint it with fabricated memories<ref>TNG: Rightful Heir</ref>. | The [[Klingon Empire]] has the technology to create a clone from a DNA sample, grow it at an accelerated rate and imprint it with fabricated memories<ref>TNG: Rightful Heir</ref>. | ||
Likewise, the Romulan Empire possesses cloning technology; however, the [[Shinzon|one known clone]] suffered severe health issues<ref>Star Trek: Nemesis</ref> | Likewise, the [[Romulan]] Empire possesses cloning technology; however, the [[Shinzon|one known clone]] suffered severe health issues<ref>Star Trek: Nemesis</ref> | ||
The Mariposa [[Colony]] was populated entirely by clones<ref>TNG: Up The Long Ladder</ref>. | The Mariposa [[Colony]] was populated entirely by clones<ref>TNG: Up The Long Ladder</ref>. | ||
Revision as of 23:20, 4 March 2008
A clone is an identical twin to a living organism artificially grown from sample cells. In reality, a clone has none of the knowledge or experience of the creature that supplied its genetic material, and it grows to maturity at the normal rate for its species. In biological research and engineering, the term 'cloning' may simply mean making copies of a particular gene or genes.
Clones in Science Fiction
Like many scientific concepts, cloning has been thoroughly misunderstood by people who write science fiction. Shows like Star Trek portray the cloning process as creating a complete mature adult from scratch, as seen in the accompanying picture from the TNG episode "Up The Long Ladder".
Clones also often possess skills at the time of their "birth" that take years for a 'normal' human(oid) to learn, as is the case with the Jem'Hadar, which are grown and combat ready in a matter of days. In the film Multiplicity, the clones even had the complete memories of the original person who donated his genetic material: the clone at first believed himself to be the original person. To say this is not how cloning works is an enormous understatement.
For all their other fanciful or unrealistic aspects, films like Star Wars and Jurassic Park show a far more accurate portrayal of cloning. In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, we witnessed the clones in various phases of development: embryonic, childhood, and adult. In Jurassic Park, we saw the cloned dinosaurs hatching from eggs.
Clones in Star Trek
The Dominion use cloning to produce genetically engineered servant races, including the Jem'Hadar and Vorta. They are the only power known to be capable of mass-producing clones.
The Klingon Empire has the technology to create a clone from a DNA sample, grow it at an accelerated rate and imprint it with fabricated memories[1].
Likewise, the Romulan Empire possesses cloning technology; however, the one known clone suffered severe health issues[2]
The Mariposa Colony was populated entirely by clones[3].
Some cloning technology was (illegally) available to Bajoran civilians, as a Bajoran named Ibudan used several clones of himself in an attempt to fake his own murder. These clones could be grown from embryo to adulthood in days[4].
Clones in Star Wars
There are at least two methods of producing clones in the Star Wars setting. The people of Kamino produced armies of clones for the Galactic Republic using Jango Fett as a DNA donor. They were able to modify the DNA to some extent, making the clones more obedient, and accelerate their growth so they reached maturity in about ten years.[5]
An alternative method used Spaarti cylinders to rapidly grow clones. Clones created using this technology were usually insane because of a connection through the Force to their DNA donors. The sanity problem could be avoided through either an extended growth period or the use of ysalamiri to block the Force connection.[6]
References
- ↑ TNG: Rightful Heir
- ↑ Star Trek: Nemesis
- ↑ TNG: Up The Long Ladder
- ↑ DS9: A Man Alone
- ↑ Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
- ↑ Heir to the Empire series by Timothy Zahn