Animal Cloning

The technology for the production of cloned animal is in the experimental stage. A project has been funded by National Agricultural Innovation Project/Indian Council of Agricultural Research on buffalo cloning in February 2009. The total approved cost of the project is Rs. 896.51 lakhs and it will be completed in June 2012.

The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal has produced two cloned buffalo calves (i) first cloned buffalo calf was born on February 6, 2009 but died in a week’s time due to pneumonia and (ii) second calf was born on June 06, 2009 and is growing well. Both cloned calves were born through a novel hand guided cloning technology.

The farmers would be benefited through the production of faster multiplication of elite male and female animals. Further, this technology is likely to result in making available quality semen for artificial insemination.

This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok Sabha today.

Source: Press Information Bureau
Date: April 28, 2010