Aggregated News
South Korean scientists Monday reported a surviving clone of an endangered cattle species native to Jeju Island.
Researchers here have been exploring the possibilities of using cloning technology to save endangered animals.
A team led by Park Se-pil, a fertility expert at Cheju National University, revealed a 5-month-old "Jeju Black," male calf, of which there are only 400 surviving animals on the island today.
An independent genetic test has confirmed the calf as a genuine clone, the researchers said.
Park's team used somatic cell nuclear transfer to clone the subject bull, a technique first pioneered for Dolly the sheep.
Six surrogate mothers gave birth in March, but "Heukdori" was the only one to survive.
Another surrogate mother is expected to give birth in September, Park said.
"We implanted cloned eggs into 59 cows used as surrogate mothers. Six of them had pregnancies, which gives us a 10 percent success rate," Park said.
"We believe that this represents an advancement in the genetic preservation of animals, and also a valuable experience in establishing systems for fertilized eggs and implants."
Jeju Black...
Researchers here have been exploring the possibilities of using cloning technology to save endangered animals.
A team led by Park Se-pil, a fertility expert at Cheju National University, revealed a 5-month-old "Jeju Black," male calf, of which there are only 400 surviving animals on the island today.
An independent genetic test has confirmed the calf as a genuine clone, the researchers said.
Park's team used somatic cell nuclear transfer to clone the subject bull, a technique first pioneered for Dolly the sheep.
Six surrogate mothers gave birth in March, but "Heukdori" was the only one to survive.
Another surrogate mother is expected to give birth in September, Park said.
"We implanted cloned eggs into 59 cows used as surrogate mothers. Six of them had pregnancies, which gives us a 10 percent success rate," Park said.
"We believe that this represents an advancement in the genetic preservation of animals, and also a valuable experience in establishing systems for fertilized eggs and implants."
Jeju Black...