What is somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)?
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a technique in which the nucleus of a somatic cell, that is any cell of the body apart from the sperm or egg, is transferred into an egg that has had its original nucleus removed. The egg now has the same DNA, or genetic material, as the donor somatic cell. Given the right signals, the egg can be coaxed into developing as if it had been fertilized. The egg would divide to form 2 cells, then 4 cells, then 8 cells and so on until the blastocyst is formed. Embryonic stem cells can be derived from this blastocyst to create cell lines that are genetically identical to the donor somatic cell.
