Post by Bobcat on Dec 24, 2003 18:45:24 GMT -5
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Bambi meet Dewey, who is Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine's newest clone.
Dewey, the world's first deer clone, was named after researcher Duane Dewey Kraemer. This photo was taken this month.
The school on Monday announced it had cloned a whitetail deer — a fawn named Dewey — who was born in May.
Dewey is believed to be the first successfully cloned deer, said officials at A&M, which has cloned a total of five species, including cattle, goats, pigs and a cat.
Dewey is developing normally for a fawn his age and appears healthy," said Dr. Mark Westhusin, who heads the project.
"When he was born, we scooped him up in our arms to make sure he was fine and happy. He has been bottle fed and spoiled rotten his whole life."
Westhusin said the school didn't disclose the news until it performed genetic testing that confirmed Dewey was a genetic copy of his donor, a south Texas buck that was considered a huge trophy.
Researchers say the breakthrough could help conserve endangered deer species, such as the Key West deer of Florida.
To create the clone, cells were isolated from skin samples from the buck, whose scrotum had been sent to A&M researchers in the hopes of harvesting some of his sperm.
When attempts failed, Westhusin said, researchers at the school used the cells from the skin sample to clone the buck.
Westhusin said he is particularly interested to watch as Dewey grows and witness how his antlers develop.
"Antler growth in deer is so unique," he said. "Every animal is different. Part of it is genetics and
part of it is environment."
A debate over whether genetics or nutrition is the more important factor has been ongoing for years and Westhusin said Dewey could assist in the discussion.
Another batch of embryos was implanted in about 20 recipients this fall, Westhusin said.
"We set it up as an experiment. We are also testing a number of different cell lines," he said.
"With each new species cloned, we learn more about how this technology might be applied to improving the health of animals and humans."
The goal is to make cloning more efficient, Westhusin said.
"The knowledge we gain from cloning these animals could greatly affect several areas of science and medicine," said H. Richard Adams, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
"With each successful cloned species, we learn more about cloning procedures and how to make the process more efficient."
The first cloned cat was born at the school two years ago. Since then the university has cloned several litters of pigs, a Boer goat, a disease-resistant Angus bull and the first Brahma bull.
Dewey, the world's first deer clone, was named after researcher Duane Dewey Kraemer. This photo was taken this month.
The school on Monday announced it had cloned a whitetail deer — a fawn named Dewey — who was born in May.
Dewey is believed to be the first successfully cloned deer, said officials at A&M, which has cloned a total of five species, including cattle, goats, pigs and a cat.
Dewey is developing normally for a fawn his age and appears healthy," said Dr. Mark Westhusin, who heads the project.
"When he was born, we scooped him up in our arms to make sure he was fine and happy. He has been bottle fed and spoiled rotten his whole life."
Westhusin said the school didn't disclose the news until it performed genetic testing that confirmed Dewey was a genetic copy of his donor, a south Texas buck that was considered a huge trophy.
Researchers say the breakthrough could help conserve endangered deer species, such as the Key West deer of Florida.
To create the clone, cells were isolated from skin samples from the buck, whose scrotum had been sent to A&M researchers in the hopes of harvesting some of his sperm.
When attempts failed, Westhusin said, researchers at the school used the cells from the skin sample to clone the buck.
Westhusin said he is particularly interested to watch as Dewey grows and witness how his antlers develop.
"Antler growth in deer is so unique," he said. "Every animal is different. Part of it is genetics and
part of it is environment."
A debate over whether genetics or nutrition is the more important factor has been ongoing for years and Westhusin said Dewey could assist in the discussion.
Another batch of embryos was implanted in about 20 recipients this fall, Westhusin said.
"We set it up as an experiment. We are also testing a number of different cell lines," he said.
"With each new species cloned, we learn more about how this technology might be applied to improving the health of animals and humans."
The goal is to make cloning more efficient, Westhusin said.
"The knowledge we gain from cloning these animals could greatly affect several areas of science and medicine," said H. Richard Adams, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
"With each successful cloned species, we learn more about cloning procedures and how to make the process more efficient."
The first cloned cat was born at the school two years ago. Since then the university has cloned several litters of pigs, a Boer goat, a disease-resistant Angus bull and the first Brahma bull.
