The First Cloned Camel, Goat, and How We Got Here

It was almost six years ago that the first sheep, Dolly, was cloned in Edinburgh, Scotland.  The biological engineering first was produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer, where the nucleus from a donor cell is injected to an unfertilized egg that has had its DNA removed.  Dolly was a clone, but not a perfect clone because donor egg had different mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) than the donor.  The mitochondria are the energy centers of the cell, and we still do not understand the possible effects of an mtDNA mismatch with the nucleus DNA.  (Although it makes interesting fiction - see my novel, Roman DNA.)

Iran's first cloned goat born in Isfahan reports that a cloned goat named Hanna was delivered by cesarean section from a black Bakhtiari goat.  Demonstrating the biological engineering feat, Hannah is white and fawn in color.  Similarly, World's first cloned camel unveiled in Dubai explains that a female camel named Injaz was born at the Dubai Camel Reproduction Center.

Iran explains that its desire is to develop recombinant drug technology, whereas Dubai wants to preserve the bloodline of its racing camels.  Recall they now use robots as riders instead of children.  Mmm.  Some science fiction stories are going to become reality. 

Also today - the National Academies Press released, 21st Century Innovation Systems for Japan and the United States: Lessons from a Decade of Change: Report of a Symposium.  It is an interesting read - the authors provide a fascinating history of 19th and 20th century technology development for the two countries.  They argue that American government intervention created the U.S. steel industry.  Until that time, Europe dominated in steel technology. 

Likewise, the early American leadership in radio was because the government created a patent pool and established Radio Corporation of America (RCA).  The authors' prescription for future success - universities.  Full disclosure - they are from the University of Texas - Austin and Hitotsubashi University. 

Comments

[Anne]

Great work.

[Edie]

This is great info to know.