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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Cloning Brings Extinct Ibex Back to Life

Breakthrough may be used to save endangered species

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(Newser) – Scientists have used frozen skin samples from a Spanish ibex to create the first clone of an extinct species, reports the Telegraph. The ibex, a wild mountain goat native to the Pyrenees, died out in 2000. Scientists were able to extract DNA from preserved cells and implant it in the egg of a domestic goat, using a technique known as nuclear transfer.

While the newborn kid died shortly after birth of lung defects, a common problem in cloned animals, scientists hope the breakthrough will be used to save other endangered or recently extinct species from their fate. Several projects are already underway to collect DNA from disappearing breeds like the pygmy hippo.

Spanish ibex.
Spanish ibex.
The Pyrenean ibex, a wild mountain goat, died out in 2000.
The Pyrenean ibex, a wild mountain goat, died out in 2000.   (Flickr)
Dolly, the world's first cloned sheep, is shown in this 1997 file photo. A similar nuclear transfer technique was used to clone the Spanish ibex.
Dolly, the world's first cloned sheep, is shown in this 1997 file photo. A similar nuclear transfer technique was used to clone the Spanish ibex.   (Getty Images)
A Spanish ibex in its natural habitat.
A Spanish ibex in its natural habitat.
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Clearly there is some way to go before it can be used effectively, but the advances in this field are such that we will see more and more solutions to the problems faced. - Professor Robert Miller, Edinburgh University

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5 comments
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Mr.C
Feb 1, 09 7:32 AM CST
They died for a reason. Let nature be. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
NutsInNY
Feb 1, 09 9:17 AM CST
You must be saving a fortune not paying for health insurance.
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Doctor_Zaius
Feb 1, 09 1:22 PM CST
Yes, they died for our greed and arrogance. When the cosmic grim reaper comes for our species will Mr. C be so cavalier about our passing? Reply
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morenogabr
Feb 1, 09 1:33 PM CST
As much as I the enjoy the idea of revitalizing lost species, I doubt that they could then be released into todays ecosystem. It seems strange to assume they fit just in at some equilibrium point in a system. Reply
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riffran
Feb 3, 09 12:03 AM CST
TASTE LIKE CHICKEN......or maybe passenger pigeon.....all kidding aside...not sure if thats a good idea...... Reply
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