Human cloning may not be as far off as people think. Recent stem cell milestone allowed scientists to remove one hindering factor to duplicating humans. They can now generate embryos without needing fertilisation.

What seems like a strict process for reproduction of humans, new stem cell knowledge gave scientists the chance to generate embryonic stem cells without fertilisation. Recognised as a milestone in stem cell research, stem cell therapies have reached new levels.

However, since the method requires carrying out a cloning technique, scientists already expect a wave of controversies over it. While researchers involved in the study denied interest in cloning humans, there remains a rising concern. It will no doubt be the start of duplicating humans, regardless if scientists deny having interest over cloning.

The new therapeutic stem cell process helped scientists create human embryos. By cloning the embryos, it is easier to achieve the desired stem cell quantity. This somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technique is the same method used in creating Dolly the Sheep.

In SCNT, scientists transfer the donor cell nucleus to an egg cell. The egg cell does not have any nuclear DNA as it has already been removed. Once the egg cell becomes a premature embryo, it becomes the clone of the donor. It will have the same genes.

Every stem cells taken from the embryo is considered "pluripotent." This means that with the right coaxing, it can develop to any kind of tissue. People can potentially breed any part of the body from these cells - bone to brain.

Human cloning remains as one of the biggest challenges to scientists. While they previously cloned different animals and parts, there has not been a concrete development until they chanced upon SCNT.