Cloned Half-Asses From Idaho Hold Promise For Livestock Industry

12/30/2003 Cloned Half-Asses From Idaho Hold Promise For Livestock Industry - 12/24 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Dirk Vanderwall, professor of veterinary and animal science at the University of Idaho, was quoted as saying, "They're developing normally and all quite healthy. We're not seeing any of the health problems seen in the clones of other species like cattle or sheep."

Between May and June, the team of researchers in Idaho and from Utah State University in Logan witnessed the birth of three genetically identical mules.

Idaho Gem, Idaho Star and Utah Pioneer are all identical clones created using genes from the same fetal skin cell obtained from a family of champion racing mules, Vanderwall said.

Mules are the sterile hybrid offspring of a mare and a jackass, a male donkey. . They were born to different mothers May 4 (Gem), June 9 (Pioneer) and July 27 (Star).

Vanderwall was further cited as saying that unlike what happened to Dolly, the famous cloned sheep that rapidly deteriorated and died, the Idaho-Utah team's cloned mules show no sign of any problems or abnormalities, and they are developing well, with different personalities, adding, "Idaho Gem, the oldest, is sort of a prima donna and demands to be the center of attention."

Youngest Star also strives for attention but more as befits the baby of the herd, he said, while Pioneer is reserved and aloof.

Vanderwall said animal cloning could expand dramatically as a common practice of the food industry. For that reason, the Idaho-Utah team has traveled extensively with the cloned mules to present the facts at public events and answer questions.

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