A large, 3-year-old calico cat named patch was a TV star.
She invaded the homes of millions of Americans every
week as the star of “patchwork” where she played the
brains of a successful private investigation fi rm, leading
her owner to clues, catching murders, thieves and bank
robbers without missing a meal or a nap. Patch had been
rescued from an animal shelter and later accompanied her
eight-year-old owner sally to a “cutest kid” contest. Sally
didn’t win, but patch was discovered. Things couldn’t have
been better for patch, sally and their family—“patchwork”
had been picked up for three more seasons and topped
the ratings for its time slot. A lucrative cat food
endorsement kept the cat and her owners busy during the
off season.
You are one of the technical consultants for the show. The
show was about to be cancelled when an apparent lifeline
was thrown by Mr. Pseudofelis, a representative of
clontronics. He claims that, for the bargain price of $1
million, he could do a simple cheek swab for DNA (just like
you see in those crime dramas), use that DNA to clone
patch, and produce a genetically identical clone. Eager for a
solution, the executive thinks this is a great idea, and
arranges for cells to be taken from patch’s mouth. His boss,
however, is uncertain about spending $1 million. Therefore,
the executive of the show has asked you to research
clontronics’ procedures and promises. After an extensive
literature search, you find that livestock as well as cats have
been cloned. Now the show’s producer has stopped by to
ask you some questions.
CQ#2: WHAT DO YOU THINK?
CAN CLONING PRODUCE A CALICO CAT IDENTICAL TO
PATCH?
A. YES
B. NO
MR. PSEUDOFELIS SAID IF PATCH WAS MALE, HE COULD HAVE CLONED
THE CAT USING SPERM WITHOUT SURGERY. IF HE HAD USED SPERM, THE CLONED
KITTY WOULD BE __.
A. IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL, THEY ARE CLONES AFTER ALL.
B. DIPLOID, BUT NOT IDENTICAL.
C. HAPLOID, BUT IDENTICAL IN APPEARANCE TO THE MALE SPERM DONOR.
D. HAPLOID, ASSUMING IT COMPLETED DEVELOPMENT.