This document provides an overview of cloning and recombinant DNA technology. It discusses DNA cloning, which allows making many copies of a gene. Restriction enzymes and ligase are used to cut and paste DNA fragments into plasmids. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifies specific DNA regions and is used in medicine for prenatal diagnosis and carrier testing of genetic diseases. PCR exponentially increases copies of target DNA sequences and provides a fast way to identify genetic markers.