X-Message-Number: 8453
From: Brian Rowley <>
Subject: Re: cloning
Date: Sun, 10 Aug 1997 17:29:56 -0700

Thomas Donaldson wrote:
>As for the news report, it may not be good data. As I understand it, the cells
>to be cloned were taken from embryos --- unlike Dolly, who was created from
>the cells of an adult sheep.

My understanding was that the cells were taken from 10 different adult cows,
just like with Dolly. The chromosomes were removed and implanted into an
egg, which was implanted in a second cow's uterus. This zygote grew into an
embryo, from which a cell was taken. The chromosomes of that cell were
implanted into another egg, which was implanted into a third cow's uterus.
This zygote was allowed to grow fully in utero. Impressive stuff; the
problem of inviable embryos has now been overcome by adding an extra step.
That means reliable cloning of adult cows using virtually any somatic cell
(udder, skin or kidney) has been achieved. Isn't that totally breath-taking?
It's a shame I don't have Paul Segall's E-mail address of I'd congratulate
him myself. Cloning anencephalic versions of ourselves for spare parts looks
increasingly achievable.

>One other recent development has been the ability, at least in frogs, to grow
>single organs rather than whole animals. THAT really will be useful, if we
>can get it to work for humans. And not just in cryonics, either.

Right; if we can clone an organ by itself as you suggest (modified
chromosome fragments and then in utero growth?) we'd side step a lot of
public resistance. Cheers,

Brian Rowley

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