We have long reached science fiction territory in our world. Now, cloning isn’t just a movie thing anymore. It’s a reality that’s brought some amazing (and unexpected) animals around!
Over the years, researchers have successfully managed to clone a bunch of our furry (and not-so-furry) friends. These breakthroughs aren’t just marvels of technology! They’re helping explore all kinds of fields, like biology and genetics!
Some of the animals on this list will definitely surprise you. So, let’s dive into the world of scientific innovation and meet the animals brought back to life in the most extraordinary way!
1. Carp
Fish have been in the cloning game too, not just cows and sheep! A carp was successfully cloned in China in 1963. To use more sciency language: the cloning was done by splitting embryonic cells early in development.
This surprising discovery was like a door slammed wide open! Many fish have become endangered due to climate change, and this cloning effort laid the groundwork for future conservation efforts! Yay!
2. Sheep
When we talk about cloning, Dolly the Sheep is the real OG! In 1996, Dolly made history as the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell.
The reason she is so amazing is that she became the ultimate proof that cloning could produce a fully developed animal! Take that, contrarians!
Just like the good ol’ Dolly Parton she was named after, Dolly the Sheep became an overnight superstar. The world was forever caught in the intense ethical debates about the future of cloning!
3. Cat
The pet world was shaken up when Cc the CopyCat became the first cloned kitty back in 2001. While researchers had successfully cloned other animals, cloning a beloved household pet was a different kind of game. Many weren’t very enthusiastic about it.
Although Cc was created using DNA from a calico cat, she had quite a cool coat pattern! Genetics is weird! But hey, it’s interesting!
4. Horse
In 2003, a horse named Prometea galloped into history as the world’s first cloned horsey! Similar to protecting endangered fish, the cloning efforts are super important for the same reason here too! We gotta protect the horseys!
What makes Prometea even more impressive is the fact that her surrogate mom shared the same DNA! Typical cloning plot twists, huh?
5. Dog
For many years, cloning a dog seemed as likely as getting a cat to fetch your slippers. But then 2005 came about, and Snuppy the dog wagged his tail in triumph as history’s first cloned canine!
The furry breakthrough showed that producing cute and healthy puppies was still possible. And maybe, just maybe, cloning could become a reality for pet owners!
6. Endangered Ibex
In 2000, the Pyrenean Ibex joined the ranks of extinct animals. But just three years later, this species made a brief return from the afterlife – all thanks to cloning! Researchers managed to do this by using preserved DNA.Sadly, the clone only lived for a few minutes. Yet, it still gave researchers hope that there are now ways to reverse extinction!