Gene Cloning — Definition

Definition

Gene cloning is the production of copies of a defined DNA segment. In the classical vector-based model, a DNA carrier and a host system support the maintenance and copying of that segment. This meaning differs from reproductive cloning of an organism and from deliberately editing a DNA sequence.

It also differs from demonstrating gene expression or the function of a resulting product. A copied sequence can support research, but the observation that DNA is present does not establish that it is transcribed, translated or biologically active.

The copied object and the measured outcome must therefore be identified separately.