Worlds First Cloned Rabbit from Fetus
Chinese scientists have produced the world’s first cloned rabbit using a biological process that draws cells from a fetus. Weighing in at 60 grams (2.1 ounces) at birth in February, the female rabbit is said to be growing normally at an animal centre in Shanghai, reports China Daily.
Scientists have cloned mice, dogs, mules, and even cattle for meat with advancements from the time that the first cloned sheep Dolly was born in 1996.
Some scientists are experimenting with cloning to save some animals from extinction. Malaysia is even trying to clone its threatened leatherback turtles, reports Daily Mail.
But it was only in 2002 that French scientists produced the world’s first cloned rabbit using cells from an adult female rabbit. The country’s first body-cell cloned cow was born early this year.
The Chinese rabbit was the world’s first to be cloned using ‘fibroblast’ cells from a fetal rabbit, the China Daily said.
“Chinese cloning research has reached a global advanced level.” the newspaper quoted Wang Hongguang, director of the China Centre for Biotechnology Development, under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
“We can reproduce almost all the cloning results in top-class laboratories around the world. However, we are lacking in original creations such as the newly cloned rabbit.”
Earlier this year, scientists at the Guangxi University in southwest China’s Nanning City cloned a white rabbit from an embryo cell. Shi Deshun, the professor in charge of the project, described the rabbit as healthy and well-grown.
The reconstructed embryo was injected into the oviduct of a female rabbit on April 9, and born after a normal pregnancy of 34 days, at 82 grams (2.9 ounces) Shi said.
Scientists say cloning animals could lead to advances in medical research, including using cloned animals to produce human antibodies against diseases.
But where does the practice of cloning end? Will we be cloning humans next? It’s not as far fetched nor out of reach as one might believe.
Human Cloning — Why the Fuss?
The controversial speech by Professor Lee Silver of Princeton University.
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On Brink of Artificial Life
Cloning hhhmmmm…. I guess there may be some advantages to the advancement of medical research and the use of antibodies to fight diseases, but at the same time it’s also pretty scary to think that they have the knowledge and methodology to clone humans…..I think one of me is quite enough for the present time and the idea of having a cloned me beside me might be appealing to help out with blogs, emails etc, but I think I’ll stick with just me.
Just imagine, if they cloned Bush, Blair and a few others what a bigger mess this world would be in!!
Definitely a bad idea.
The concept of human cloning gives me chills, Colin.
Haha, the world has enough with only one of them. I’ve often said I wish I had a clone to help with my work, but this puts a whole new meaning to the phrase!
I’d like to clone me and let her do all the housework!
Catherine, the redhead
I hear ya Catherine!
I wouldn’t mind having one to do my paperwork as well, so I could spend more time blogging, haha!
cute…cute…bunny…Deborah…..
Dolly the sheep….was the beginning of an experiment…that has helped many humans extend their lives…..through experimental medical trial and error….my Dad was given these antibodies (at the Mayo Clinic) and it gave him another 6 years of quality life…..
he was a human guinea pig …….and as a result Doctors were able to help others with the same rare form of cancer……so I would have to say that this experimentation is very worthwhile ……great post Deborah….
That’s incredible news to hear something so highly positive from someone I actually know that’s been directly affected by it! I’m so glad for you that you had your father for another 6 years of quality life because if it
Good info. thanks.