Korean Cloning Update
On August 26, one of the first two cloned wolves died mysteriously at less than four years old. "According to zoo staff, ... it was found in its cage with its mouth covered with blood."
Final results of an autopsy will not be known for a month, but there was no external wound. According to Prof. Lee Byeong-chun, "the organs were found to have been damaged, possibly due to the hot weather." Another possibility is an infection or the long-term effects of fights with the other clone, which caused the two to be separated by zoo staff. Lee insists that "the death does not mean the cloning process was incomplete." His colleague Prof. Shin Nam-sik asserted that "we should not exaggerate the incident, as many animals die suddenly."
Nevertheless, questions are being raised, about life expectancy (in the wild wolves can live up to 15 years), and also about the temperamental difference between the two clones. The first cloned sheep died relatively young, and Shin admits that "further research has to be carried out whether cloned animals can cherish the same health condition and aging speed as natural born animals."
In other news:
- The first puppies both of whose parents were clones will be given to selected pet owners later this year (by Lee's team). They were conceived using IVF but not cloning.
- A different Korean team has cloned an endangered cattle species. They implanted 59 embryos, which resulted in 6 pregnancies (or perhaps births; the translated report is not clear) but only 1 live 5-month-old calf.
- Hwang Woo-Suk, currently facing the possibility of a four-year sentence for fraud (the ruling is due on October 19), "plans to present two cloned dogs to one of the country's provinces to help it nurture a bio-technology industry." No word yet as to whether North Chungcheong province will accept.
Previously on Biopolitical Times: