Animal cloning is a scientific process that creates a genetically identical copy of an animal. This is typically done using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), where the nucleus of a donor cell is inserted into an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed. The resulting embryo can then be implanted into a surrogate mother, leading to the birth of a clone. Cloning has been used in various research and agricultural applications, such as preserving endangered species or improving livestock. Notable examples include Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell, which was born in 1996 and sparked widespread interest and ethical discussions about cloning.