How do I duplicate an object?

Hello;

I want a function as follows functions.duplicate(objectUID) return (UID of new identical object).

The function accepts one argument the UID of the object to be duplicated it returns one argument the UID of the duplicate object the function created.

If I could just do it for a sprite I would be happy.

(I need to do this while the game is running. I know how to do it in the editor)

thanks for your time.