WORCESTER, Mass., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ — Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) and its subsidiary Cyagra, Inc. today reported that its proprietary cloning technology has been used to produce healthy and normal adult animals.
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ACT evaluated 30 cattle cloned from proliferating skin cells. Twenty-four (80%) of the clones were vigorous and remained alive and healthy one to four years later (by comparison, survival to adulthood normally ranges from 84% to 87%). Results of general health screens, physical examination and immune function were normal for all clones, including laboratory analysis on blood and urine, biochemistry, and behavioral responses.
“We haven’t observed any of the genetic defects, immune deficiencies or other abnormalities reported in the popular or scientific press,” said Robert Lanza, M.D., Vice-President of Medical & Scientific ACT. “All of the data collected reinforce the view that these animals were clinically and phenotypically normal.”
The report will be published in next week’s issue of SCIENCE (November 30, 2001), titled “Cloned Cattle Can Be Healthy and Normal” by ACT and its collaborators at the Mayo Clinic, Trans Ova Genetics, Em Tran and the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to publication, the journal requires that the articles be checked by independent experts through a scientific peer review process.
“This information on cloned animals is valuable” according to Dr. Michael West, President and CEO of ACT” not only because it assures us in regard to the animal’s health and welfare but more importantly its long term medical potential.”
Dr. Jose Cibelli, ACT’s Vice President for Research, said “These findings are exciting; cattle producers can now rely on Cyagra to generate copies of their animals with the confidence that the genetics of their best animals will be intact for as long as they desire.”
To request a copy of the Science paper, contact AAAS News and Information
Office at scipak@aaas.org or 202-326-6440.
SOURCE Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.advancedcell.com http://www.cyagra.com
