UAE | General
First camel cloned in UAE
Birth of Injaz marks world breakthrough for scientists working in Dubai project.
- By Kevin Scott, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:06 April 13, 2009
- Injaz, a cloned female camel, was born at the Camel Reproduction Centre on April 8 after an uncomplicated gestation of 378 days. She was created from cumulus cells harvested from the ovary of an adult female camel.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Dubai: The world's first cloned camel has been born in Dubai.
The female calf, called Injaz (meaning achievement), was produced at the Camel Reproduction Centre (CRC) last Wednesday.
The team at the CRC, headed by Dr Lulu Skidmore and Dr Ali Redha, said Injaz was created from cumulus cells harvested from the ovary of a female adult camel, which were grown in culture before being frozen in liquid nitrogen.
Dr Lulu Skidmore, Scientific Director of the CRC, told Gulf News: "We are all very excited at the birth of Injaz as she is the result of great skill and teamwork of everyone at the Camel Reproduction Centre. This significant breakthrough gives a means of preserving the valuable genetics of our elite racing and milk producing camels in the future."
The team said the camel was born after an uncomplicated gestation period of 378 days. Injaz currently weighs 30kg. The DNA of Injaz's cells and that of the original ovarian cells have been tested using microsatellite DNA analysis at the Molecular Biology and Genetics Laboratory in Dubai, and have been found to be identical, thereby proving that Injaz is indeed a clone of the original female camel.
The news comes a year after the centre announced the birth of identical twin camel calves Zahi and Bahi. The male twins were created using a technique called embryo micro-manipulation.
The CRC, which was established in 1989, not only breeds camels but carries out genetic studies on old and new-world camelids. Rama the 'Cama" was born just over a decade ago as the world's first viable hybrid between a camel and a guanaco, related to the llama.
Cloning is the process of producing genetically-identical individuals. Cloning occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce asexually.
The world's first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell was Dolly the Sheep, who was produced on July 5, 1996, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Dolly's birth was heralded as one of the most significant breakthroughs. Dolly went on to gain worldwide fame before being put down in 2003 after a veterinary examination showed she had a progressive lung disease.
Is this the way forward in organ transplants? Is there enough awareness behind cloning and genetic sciences? Would you seek cloning?
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Injaz puts Dubai in exclusive club
Injaz puts Dubai in exclusive club
Popular in UAE
-
UAE
Obscene grafitti
Mirdif residents outraged by growing number of obscene grafitti
-
Gallery
Day in pictures
A selection of ten best images from around the world in the past 24 hours
-
Blog
My UAE Ramadan
People in the UAE share what Ramadan means to them
Latest news
- Ruler of Sharjah orders dispatch of relief for Pakistan
- Shaikh Mohammad receives dignitaries
- Dubai top court takes up Dh200m libel case
- Woman gets 10 years in jail, Dh50,000 fine
- Three held for burglary attempt in Dubai
- 3kg of opium hidden in toys seized in Dubai
- Sentences on young drug users 'too harsh'
- Police officer arrested on bribery charges gets bail
- Loose pipe is a threat
- Your complainsts with organistations
- Hili Fun City to be reopened on Eid
- Red light jumping in capital kills eight
- Smugglers ensnare more youth in UAE
- Kerry Winter case: Probe ordered
- Gang arrested over spate of van thefts
Community Reports
-
Loose pipe is a threat
Buildings awaiting demolition should be secured to ensure the safety of passers-by
-
Lack of safety measures poses danger
A crane has been parked in a position such that the concrete load is hanging right above a busy road in Sharjah
-
Trucks a risk on Khorfakkan road
Authorities must install traffic lights on the road to avoid congestion, says reader
-
The Gardens: A leafy sanctuary within the city
Despite the rents falling everywhere in Dubai, not many people wish to move out of The Gardens. Gulf News finds out why...
-
UAEssentials
Ramadan
Traditional surroundings provide a great ambience at Ramadan tents
-
District feature
The Gardens
Despite falling rents in Dubai, not many people wish to leave The Gardens
