Copying derived entities using only base class pointers, (without exhaustive testing!) - C++

Question

Given a base class that is inherited by plethora of derived classes, and a program structure that requires you manage these via base class pointers to each entity. Is there

Answer 1

template 
Base* CopyDerived(const T& other) {
  T* derivedptr = new T(other);
  Base* baseptr = dynamic_cast(derivedptr);
  if(baseptr != NULL)
    return baseptr;
  delete derivedptr;
  // If this is reached, it is because T is not derived from Base
  // The exception is just an example, handle in whatever way works best
  throw "Invalid types in call to Copy";
}

This only requires a publicly accessible copy constructor in each derived class you wish to copy.