2nd Cow Clone Dies at Univ. of Tenn

(AP) ^

[Dallas]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --

The University of Tennessee's second cloned cow has died after complications from a stomach disorder, the university said Monday.

Emma, a heifer born Aug. 30, was euthanized April 15. Millie, the first cow university researchers successfully cloned from an adult cell, died in June from a bacterial infection at 9 months.

"Both of them died at a fairly young age from completely different conditions, and from conditions that are not unusual," said Jack Britt, vice president of the university's Institute of Agriculture. "It could be the luck of the draw."

Emma was created to be a twin of a Jersey cow with a history of mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland that can reduce the quantity and quality of milk. By studying Emma, researchers hoped to find a cure.

Britt said the university's cow cloning effort will continue despite the setbacks.

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On the Net:

University of Tennessee: http://www.tennessee.edu

Copyright © 2002, The Associated Press

[Dallas]

"Both of them died at a fairly young age from completely different conditions, and from conditions that are not unusual,"

Does anyone believe that ?

[Charles Henrickson]

Sad.

[Charles Henrickson]

Sad.

[Charles Henrickson]

Sad.

[Charles Henrickson]

Sad.

[Charles Henrickson]

Sad.

[CoolH2OH]

We have no business being involved in cloning. There are other issues in health and science that we should be trying to solve rather than this one.

[Reactionary]

I don't believe it at all. What they're interested in hiding is the fact that clones suffer from severe genetic abnormalities and generally don't live very long at all.

Of course, the public would be shocked to know that, so it's imperative that the PR campaign give the impression that this research can produce results.

[Dallas]

I've got 80 head, and I might lose 2 head a year.

[Dallas]

Charlie, I think FR cloned your first response....

[Charles Henrickson]

Nah, I did it on purpose. Just cloning around.

Nah, I did it on purpose. Just cloning around.

Nah, I did it on purpose. Just cloning around.

[GeronL]

just like Dolly the sheep, remember the clone developed something like arthritis early?

because if you clone an adult you will inherit all their problems. The sheep was of a certain age and the baby sheep was born with 'old genes'. These genes decay as you get older and the baby sheep was genetically as old as the parent.

Now, if you took cells from a baby this would not happen.. I can forsee DNA samples collected at birth being used to develop better cows, if that cow grew up without problems.

[GeronL]

I understand they get a thousand bad ones for every 'success' and these 'successes' aren't all that great, are they?

[RightWhale]

a twin of a Jersey cow with a history of mastitis

Oh, right.

[Dallas]

That makes sense....

[Gunslingr3]

The first, teetering steps into this new frontier are akin to the false starts and setbacks man encountered last century when he learned to fly. I can't even imagine where our further understanding of the code and mechanics behind life on earth will lead by the end of this century. When my great grandfather learned of the first successful human flight at age 5, does anyone think he or anyone else imagined that mankind would step onto the moon when he was 71? I encourage those frightened by the prospect of cloning and it's attendant technologies to forego the fruits of these labors. I hope they don't force the rest of us to forego them as well.

[boris]

Hey, at least it wasn't Mad Cow...

[billbears]

Learning to fly and playing God are two different things. Actually I hope they do continue to clone animals and continue to see it for the failure that it is.

[RightWhale]

does anyone think he or anyone else imagined that mankind would step onto the moon when he was 71?

Yes, some did. Rocket theory had advanced sufficiently, and a few thinkers here and there had worked out some of the details. Landing on the moon had also captured the public imagination by then. It was just a matter of time.