Animal Cloning Trials a Failure

BioEdge reports that a leading animal cloning organisation, New Zealand’s AgResearch, has ended cloning trials because of unacceptable death rates. But the science agency says it will continue to design genetically engineered animals using new research methods. AgResearch says that arthritis, lameness, blood poisoning and pneumonia were among the causes of goat, sheep and cattle deaths. Only about 10% of cloned animals survived the trials. A number of calves from mid gestation onwards either spontaneously aborted or died. ~ Stuff.co.nz, Feb 21