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Related Concept Videos

Reproductive Cloning01:27

Reproductive Cloning

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Reproductive cloning is the process of producing a genetically identical copy—a clone—of an entire organism. While clones can be produced by splitting an early embryo—similar to what happens naturally with identical twins—cloning of adult animals is usually done by a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
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The first successfully cloned mammal was Dolly, a sheep, born on 5th July 1996 at Roslin Institute, Scotland. The cloned sheep was named after the American singer Dolly Parton. Dolly lived for seven years and died of respiratory complications, which is speculated to be due to the actual age of her DNA. Because the DNA in cloned cells belongs to an older individual,  the cloned individual’s life expectancy may be affected. Indeed, analysis of Dolly’s DNA revealed shorter...
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The reproductive system generates offspring, ensuring the survival of the species. In humans, the reproductive system is complex and involves a variety of organs and hormones that work together to ensure successful reproduction.
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In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
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Asexual reproduction allows plants to reproduce without growing flowers, attracting pollinators, or dispersing seeds. Offspring are genetically identical to the parent and produced without the fusion of male and female gametes.
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During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
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Updated: Jul 29, 2025

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians
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Agency in Reproduction.

Laura Nuño de la Rosa1

  • 1Department of Logic and Theoretical Philosophy, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

Evolution & Development
|May 27, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Organisms actively shape evolution through reproduction, a role often overlooked. This study proposes an agential view of reproduction, integrating reproductive goals into organismal agency for evolutionary insights.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Niche construction and developmental plasticity theories highlight organismal agency in ecological and developmental contexts.
  • However, the role of organisms as agents in reproduction has been largely neglected in evolutionary biology.
  • Existing frameworks of organismal and selective agency do not fully capture the goal-directed nature of reproduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose and explore an agential view of reproduction.
  • To investigate the implications of this view for understanding the origin and evolvability of reproductive modes.
  • To examine the coevolution between reproduction and social behavior through an agential lens.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis contrasting organismal and selective agency in reproduction.
Keywords:
agencyevo-devoreproduction

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  • Case study analysis of eutherian pregnancy to evaluate existing agency frameworks.
  • Review of studies on the coevolution of viviparity and social behavior in vertebrates.

    • Main Results:

    • Organismal agency in reproduction is irreducible to ecological or developmental agency alone.
    • Reproductive goals must be incorporated into definitions of organismal agency.
    • An agential approach to reproduction offers new perspectives on evolutionary origins and evolvability of reproductive modes.

    Conclusions:

    • Adopting an agential view of reproduction enriches evolutionary explanations.
    • This perspective can illuminate the coevolutionary links between reproduction, development, and social behavior.
    • Future research should integrate reproductive agency into broader evolutionary and developmental frameworks.