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| Breakthrough in primate cloning | Breakthrough in primate cloning |
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| Experts have for the first time created cloned embryos from adult monkeys - a technical breakthrough that could bring efficient human cloning a step closer. | Experts have for the first time created cloned embryos from adult monkeys - a technical breakthrough that could bring efficient human cloning a step closer. |
| A team in the US created dozens of cloned embryos from a 10-year-old macaque monkey, Nature journal reports. | A team in the US created dozens of cloned embryos from a 10-year-old macaque monkey, Nature journal reports. |
| Human cloning has been dogged by controversies over faked research and technical difficulties. | Human cloning has been dogged by controversies over faked research and technical difficulties. |
| But the new technique could lead to easier cloning of human embryos for use in research. | |
| According to the Independent newspaper, the American group was able to extract stem cells from some of the cloned monkey embryos and was able to persuade these to develop into mature heart and nerve cells in the laboratory. | According to the Independent newspaper, the American group was able to extract stem cells from some of the cloned monkey embryos and was able to persuade these to develop into mature heart and nerve cells in the laboratory. |
| Scientists have welcomed news of the advance. Robin Lovell-Badge, a stem cell scientist at the National Institute for Medical Research in Mill Hill, near London, told the Independent newspaper: "Although this work has not been published yet, it is potentially significant. | Scientists have welcomed news of the advance. Robin Lovell-Badge, a stem cell scientist at the National Institute for Medical Research in Mill Hill, near London, told the Independent newspaper: "Although this work has not been published yet, it is potentially significant. |
| "There has been a worry that primates may prove to be difficult in terms of cloning." | "There has been a worry that primates may prove to be difficult in terms of cloning." |
| 'Advanced technique' | |
| This would have been a huge setback for researchers working to develop new therapies for disease based on embryonic stem cells. The hope is that one day, scientists could create transplant tissue that is genetically matched to the patient. | |
| Because stem cells can form all types of tissue, the approach might one day help treat conditions like diabetes and spinal cord injury without fear of rejection by the patient's body. | |
| In 2004, a South Korean team announced that it had created the first cloned human embryos. But the study was later retracted when it emerged the lead author Dr Hwang Woo-suk had fabricated his research. | In 2004, a South Korean team announced that it had created the first cloned human embryos. But the study was later retracted when it emerged the lead author Dr Hwang Woo-suk had fabricated his research. |
| The only other published example of a human embryonic clone was created at the University of Newcastle. But the clones survived for only a few days and did not produce any stem cells. | The only other published example of a human embryonic clone was created at the University of Newcastle. But the clones survived for only a few days and did not produce any stem cells. |
| The technique used to generate the cloned macaque embryos is called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This is the same basic procedure used to create Dolly the sheep and other cloned mammals. | The technique used to generate the cloned macaque embryos is called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This is the same basic procedure used to create Dolly the sheep and other cloned mammals. |
| But lead author of the latest study, Dr Shoukhrat Mitalipov, pioneered a novel way of handling during the cloning process. This technique does not use ultraviolet light or dyes, which appear to damage primate eggs. | |
| The scientists behind the latest work reportedly tried to implant about 100 cloned embryos into the wombs of around 50 surrogate female macaques. However, their efforts did not result in the birth of any offspring. | The scientists behind the latest work reportedly tried to implant about 100 cloned embryos into the wombs of around 50 surrogate female macaques. However, their efforts did not result in the birth of any offspring. |
| But one author of the study said this could be down to bad luck. For example, Dolly the sheep - the first clone of an adult mammal - was only created after 277 attempts. | But one author of the study said this could be down to bad luck. For example, Dolly the sheep - the first clone of an adult mammal - was only created after 277 attempts. |