In a pilot study it has been found that meat and dairy products from a bull and cow cloned using the "Dolly" technique met industry standards and the results suggest cloning techniques could be used to boost food production, particularly in developing countries.
Two beef and four dairy clones, all derived from a single cow and a single bull, were used in the study and scientists, led by Jerry Yang from the University of Connecticut, compared the produce with that from normal animals of similar age and breed.
They found no significant differences in their comparisons of the milk and meat but they did find higher levels of fat and fatty acids in the cloned cow meat, but these still fell within beef industry standards.
Higher levels of fat can also be seen as a desirable quality in the Japanese Black breed of bull, that was used for cloning.
The meat was analysed against more than 100 meat quality criteria, while the milk was analysed for protein, fat and other variables and the researchers say the milk results indicated that the genes of the cloned animals were functioning normally as any abnormal gene expression would be reflected by imbalances in the constituents of the milk produced.
The scientists say that the research is at an early stage but concluded that the study showed the produce to be within the range approved for human consumption and would provide guidelines for further research with larger numbers of clones from different genetic backgrounds.
Some experts have voiced concern as cloning raises animal welfare concerns, most cloned animals do not make it to term before being born, and many of those that do are born deformed. There are also worries that an apparently healthy clone may have subtle defects that might make it unsafe to eat.
Some critics say the study is too small for firm conclusions to be drawn. Animal welfare groups say that the use of cloning will lead to further intensification of farming and poorer quality food.
The study can be found in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
In launching its Huntington's Disease program, Sirna Therapeutics formed a research collaboration with Dr. Beverly Davidson, Roy J. Carver Professor in Internal Medicine, at the University of Iowa. As part of the agreement, Sirna in-licensed key patents from the University of Iowa Research Foundation covering neurological disease targets using RNAi technology, including those relating to Huntington's Disease. In January 2005, Sirna also formed a collaboration with Targeted Genetics Corporation (NASDAQ:TGEN) , the leader in AAV vector delivery to combine Sirna's RNAi expertise with a cutting edge delivery technology. Sirna and Targeted Genetics will co-develop an AAV vector-based treatment for Huntington's Disease, sharing development costs and revenues.
Howard Robin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sirna stated, "This is truly a breakthrough for Huntington's Disease research. Huntington's Disease is a devastating ailment that affects thousands of people for which there is currently no treatment. With this research, Sirna and its partners have taken a major step toward developing an siRNA therapeutic for HD. We are proud to be part of such a landmark study and to collaborate with Dr. Davidson and the University of Iowa."
Dr. Steven Hersch, Associate Professor of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and chairman of Sirna's Clinical Advisory Board for neurodegeneration commented, "I am highly encouraged by Dr. Davidson's research, as it demonstrates that an siRNA is able to positively impact Huntington's Disease by reducing the disease-causing HD protein production in an animal model. Although much preclinical work remains necessary, the proof of concept threshold has now been crossed that validates siRNA as a potentially potent approach to treating Huntington's disease."
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