Final answer:
DNA cloning is the technique of making identical copies of a segment of DNA by inserting it into a cloning vector, replicating it in a host organism, and using the product in various applications such as medicine and agriculture. It underpins significant medical advancements, including the development of synthetic insulin.
Step-by-step explanation:
DNA cloning refers to the process of making multiple, identical copies of a specific segment of DNA. Initially, it involves isolating a specific gene or DNA segment. Following the isolation, this DNA fragment is inserted into a cloning vector, which is a DNA molecule that can carry foreign DNA into a host cell and replicate there.
Recombinant DNA technology enables the merging of DNA from different sources, which is pivotal in gene cloning. The combined DNA is then introduced into a host organism, typically bacteria, through a process known as transformation. Next, the cloning vector, containing the DNA of interest, is replicated within the host organism, thereby producing many copies of the gene of interest. These copied genes can then be used for various purposes, such as gene therapy, agricultural enhancements, and the production of medicines.
Noteworthy in the history of cloning was the case of Dolly the sheep, representing the first successful reproductive cloning of a large mammal. Unlike reproductive cloning, which recreates an entire organism, DNA cloning deals only with the reproduction of specific genes or DNA fragments, which is undertaken predominantly for scientific, medical, and agricultural applications. DNA cloning played a pivotal role in medical advancements, exemplified by the synthesis of insulin for diabetes treatment, marking the onset of the BioTech Boom.