Scientists have cloned the lowly rat for the first time

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In summary, scientists have successfully cloned rats using a technique that slows down the maturing of rat eggs. This is the first time rats have been successfully cloned and it has potential implications for disease research and organ replacement. The cloning of other animals, such as cats, cows, and pigs, has already been achieved. Some people are happy about the rat cloning, but others find it hard to believe why anyone would want to clone a rat. However, researchers studying heart disease, diabetes, and neurological disorders see the value in this development. The French and Chinese researchers used a clever solution involving a chemical to prevent activation during the cloning process. This achievement is a significant step forward in animal cloning research.
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Ivan Seeking
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Scientists have cloned the lowly rat for the first time, and, believe it or not, people are happy about it.

The cat, cow and pig, among others, have all been cloned. Why clone all these animals? Pet owners long to resurrect their lost Muffin, ranchers want to reproduce their best beef cattle, and pig organs might one day replace damaged human organs. But why anyone would want to clone a rat is beyond belief for most people, except researchers who study heart disease, diabetes and neurological disorders.

http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,60580,00.html
 
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All the more interesting in light of a tidbit I read in the Jan 2003 issue of Discover...

Last May, Congress played with definitions while amending the Animal Welfare Act...representatives in Washington no longer consider rats, mice, and birds used in laboratory experiments to be animals, or at least animals worthy of protection.
 
  • #3
Didn't the French actually clone the rat?


"Both male and female white rats were cloned using a technique that slowed the maturing of the rat eggs used in the procedure..."

That can be seen here: http://www.iht.com/articles/111313.html
 
  • #4
Originally posted by Jeebus
Didn't the French actually clone the rat?


"Both male and female white rats were cloned using a technique that slowed the maturing of the rat eggs used in the procedure..."

That can be seen here: http://www.iht.com/articles/111313.html

The wired article:

A rat clone has evaded scientists for years, and animal cloning researchers were impressed by the new technique devised by scientists at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique in France, and the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing...

The French and Chinese researchers used a chemical to prevent activation, performed the somatic cell nuclear transfer, then removed the chemical, allowing it to proceed with activation -- kind of like catching a water balloon mid-air, taking out the water and filling it with Gatorade, then letting it go again.

"I think it's classic good science," Davis said. "They have a very simple but clever solution to the problem."

The Herald:
Both male and female white rats were cloned...at the National Institute of Agricultural Research at Jouy-en-Josas, France

Same story.
 

1. What does it mean to clone a rat?

Cloning a rat means creating an exact genetic copy of an existing rat. This is done by taking the DNA from the original rat and inserting it into a donor egg, which is then implanted into a surrogate mother to carry and give birth to the cloned rat.

2. Why would scientists want to clone rats?

Rats are commonly used in scientific research due to their genetic and physiological similarities to humans. Cloning allows scientists to create genetically identical rats for use in experiments, providing more consistent and accurate results.

3. How is cloning a rat different from cloning other animals?

Although the basic process of cloning is the same, the specific techniques and challenges vary depending on the species. Rats have a shorter gestation period and different reproductive organs compared to other animals, so scientists must adapt their methods accordingly.

4. Is cloning ethical?

The ethical implications of cloning are a matter of debate. While some argue that it can lead to advancements in medicine and research, others believe it raises concerns about the treatment of animals and the potential for genetic manipulation.

5. What are the potential applications of cloning rats?

Cloning rats has the potential to advance scientific research in areas such as medicine, genetics, and behavior. It may also contribute to the development of new treatments and therapies for human diseases and conditions.

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