Return of the clones
The Independent (UK) is reporting that a research team at the Oregon National Primate Research Center has successfully created multiple cloned embryos of a rhesus macaque. If this is true -- the paper describing this research hasn't been published yet -- it would mark the first time someone has created multiple cloned embryos from an adult primate. The Independent reports that the same team has also extracted stem cells from these embryos and subsequently gotten them to develop into heart cells and neurons. The Oregon team has also reportedly implanted 100 cloned embryos into surrogate rhesus macaques, but they've yet to have a birth.
It's worth noting that this research hasn't been published, yet -- apparently it's due to show up in Nature later this month. And keeping the events of a few a years ago in mind, healthy and respectful skepticism isn't a bad thing.
While we wait for this latest cloning research to be published, the UN would like to us to be thinking about the ethical and regulatory implications. A report out this past weekend from the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies urges the international community to get its act together on the formation of cloning regulation. From the report's conclusion:
Public policy demands that the international community show itself as capable of espousing an effective and pragmatic approach with respect to both reproductive and research cloning as a matter of urgency before the birth of a human being from a cloned embryo. This would have a deterrent effect on the publicised efforts of several groups to produce a cloned human being. On the other hand the delay in arriving at a consensus at the international level may encourage forum shopping by determined proponents of reproductive cloning.
The full report is available as a pdf.
-Greg Dahlmann
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I think that it is ok to clone the animals, but not the humans. I just don't think that it is right for some one to clone a human.
- by Stephen on Nov 12, 2007 at 2:23 PM | link
It is a step up that scientists can clone animals and things, but that doesn't mean they should. only if an animal is becoming extinct then it would be ok. but only to repopulate the species.
- by colton on Nov 12, 2007 at 2:23 PM | link
I think that it is really cool that they have just recently produced multiple cloned embryos from adult primates. It will be real coolwhen we can clone humans if the Gov. will ever let us. Still the cloning of primates is still real cool and the use of the stem cells they mentioned should help let the Gov. legalize it.
- by Wyatt on Nov 12, 2007 at 2:33 PM | link
I agree completly with cloning.I think its a big step for science. We do need to work harder and have more progress with cloning.
- by Shelbie on Nov 12, 2007 at 2:41 PM | link
Unless the techniques are developed and refined with other animals cloming rare species will be impossible.
- by emily on Nov 13, 2007 at 9:08 AM | link