UAE | General
World's second cloned camel born in Dubai
The male calf, named Bin Soughan, was born after an uncomplicated gestation of 383 days
- By Kevin Scott, Multimedia Reporter
- Published: 16:00 April 4, 2010
- Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
- Dr Nisar Ahmad Wani with Bin Soughan and his surrogate mother at the Camel Reproduction Centre in Dubai. The male calf was born at 3am on February 23.
Dubai: The Camel Reproduction Centre (CRC) in Dubai has announced the birth of the world's second cloned camel.
The male calf, named Bin Soughan, was born at 3am on February 23 after an uncomplicated gestation of 383 days. He was cloned from cells harvested from the skin of an elite bull; the first time a camel has been reproduced from the cells of a living animal.
Injaz, the world's first cloned camel, was produced from the ovarian cell of a camel that was slaughtered for its meat. She will be one year old on Thursday.
Dr Nisar Ahmad Wani, Head of the Reproductive Biology Laboratory at the CRC, said: "The ability of skin cells to reprogramme and develop into an embryo has made the process of cloning camels easier as skin cells are easy to obtain in contrast to reproductive tissue. This will help us in the amelioration and preservation of genetically valuable animals like high milk producers, racing champions and males of high genetic merit".
Bin Soughan's birth heralds another significant breakthrough for the centre as he was cloned from cells harvested from the skin of an elite bull whereas Injaz, the world's first cloned camelid, was produced from the ovarian cells of a she-camel.
Great acclaim
Injaz has received great acclaim from the global scientific community in the year since her birth. She appeared alongside her surrogate mother on the front cover of the Biology of Reproduction, an American scientific journal published by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.
Dr Wani added: "Bin Soughan's birth is a great achievement because he was produced from the skin cells of a live animal, which makes the process a lot easier. There are no major techniques involved; all we need is a pinch of skin whereas with Injaz we required cells from the reproductive organ.
"This [birth of Bin Soughan] has opened new doors in terms of cloning live animals. It will also help improve our efficiency and the process could be used to multiply our elite racing camels."
The CRC was founded 21 years ago. It is supported and financed by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Aside from Injaz, the centre had another success in 2008 when identical twin camel calves, Zahi and Bahi, were born. The male twins were produced using a technique called embryo micro-manipulation.
Latest news
- Sharjah boy tops Indian board's class 12 exams
- Dubai number plates auction raises Dh27m
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Smart e-Gate system launched
- Cyber infidelity creeping out of virtual domain
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
