ABU DHABI, April 14 (RIA Novosti) - The first-ever
cloned camel has been born in the capital of the United Arab
Emirates, Dubai, the Gulf News newspaper reported on Tuesday.
The female camel calf, Injaz (Achievement), was born at
the Camel Reproduction Center on April 8 weighing in at 30
kilograms (66 lbs).
"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 Center," Gulf News quoted the center's scientific
director, Dr. Lulu Skidmore, as saying.
"This significant breakthrough in our research program at
the CRC gives a means of preserving the valuable genetics of
our elite racing and milk producing camels in the future," the
scientist said.
The embryo was cultured for 7 days in a laboratory before
being implanted into the uterus of a surrogate camel. Pregnancy
was diagnosed 20 days later using ultrasound and monitored for
the following 12 months.
"Injaz, who is 30 kilos, seems to be happy and is doing
all the right things so far," Dr. Skidmore said.
The Camel Reproduction Center was established 20 years ago
in 1989 with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE president and ruler of Dubai.
News
