The United States has successfully cloned an endangered animal.
30 years ago a black-footed ferret died but some of its genetic material was frozen, now that material has been used to clone the ferret.
This effort from the the San Diego Zoo, Revive & Restore, ViaGen Pets, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums has been a massive success and the cloned ferret named Elizabeth Ann is doing well and in good health. From the Fish and Wildlife Services:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is working alongside recovery partners and scientists at Revive & Restore, ViaGen Pets & Equine, San Diego Zoo Global, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to explore solutions to genetic diversity challenges and disease resistance for black-footed ferrets using the latest advancements in genetic research.
The first significant milestone of this ongoing partnership occurred on December 10, 2020, with the birth of “Elizabeth Ann,” created from the frozen cells of “Willa,” a black-footed ferret that lived more than 30 years ago. Today, all black-footed ferrets are descended from seven individuals, resulting in unique genetic challenges to recovering this species. Cloning may help address significant genetic diversity and disease resilience barriers to support habitat conservation and reestablishment of additional populations in the wild. Once thought to be extinct, these efforts follow decades of captive breeding efforts by the Service and partners with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Here are some photos of Elizabeth Ann, the black-footed ferret:
You made some good points there. I looked on the web for more information about the issue
and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.
As above it would be how done.If you did animals,why NOT humans? Another Einstein? Plato? Just not another Hitler,Pol Pot,etc.Or a clone created for “spare parts”.Would have to be EXTREMELY thought out. Not to be taken lightly.
Awww…. Looks like an old friend of mine. He went by the name Mystic Rodent. I really miss that guy. He wrote some amazing poetry. I never hacked his account, ever.
Is this supposed to be a breakthrough considering Dolly the sheep was cloned about 44 years ago ?
I agree this could be very beneficial if it is kept to animals only and not clone human beings. We don’t need another Jurassic park crap either. It’s not wise to play god and we need to understand that.
Cloning animals is different to me than cloning men.This is okay and even beneficial. Eerie, but not sinful. It could lead to evil, though, if it was applied to man.
Ah! Missed that part. Yep it was for genetic diversity.
I am a bit nonplussed as to why some old ferret cadaver would be used as cloning material, since extant the black footed ferret population could have been utilized more easily. Maybe for genetic diversity? Just wondering.
What’s insane about cloning this endangered species as the title implied? Cloning is not insane or immoral per se. It’s HOW the procedure is used and on what that matters.