Is an animal that has been produced by cloning physically and behaviorally identical to the “original” animal?
Animals produced by cloning have the same genes as their donor animals, which is why we describe them as being like later-born identical twins. Also like identical twins, the new animals and their donors may have phenotypic differences, such as differences in markings. Such differences may be caused by natural epigenetic factors. Because genes influence behavior, animals produced by cloning and their donors generally have behavioral similarities, but they will also likely have differences, because behavior is influenced by experience and environment too. In short, the new animal may not be indistinguishable from its donor, but it will be the closest possible match.
