On March 26, 2012 at 12:16 p.m., Peng Peng, the World’s first handmade cloned transgenic sheep was born in China. Chinese scientists from BGI, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shihezi University successfully made Peng Peng. They used a simplified technique called handmade cloning. It uses much simpler equipment, procedures and it is cheaper that other methods of cloning. They say that so far he “is developing normally and appears healthy” (Dr. Yutao Du). This project had been ongoing for about two years and faced some difficulties. For example, only very few of the reconstructed embryos are able to develop into healthy offspring, they had to adjust to special climate and deal with very basic instruments/materials. This modification could result better meat quality by increasing the unsaturated fatty acid content. The ω-3PUFAs that are added to the sheep reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and bran, eye and neuron development. Since then, other species have been cloned using this technique.

This is hypothesis based science because the scientists had to conduct many experiments throughout the two year process, and had to test their hypothesis until finally succeeding.

  

This accomplishment affects humans because it allows us to intake ω-3PUFAs by drinking milk or eating meat and has many medical benefits, like reducing the risk of heart diseases. Also, this could help save endangered species and make medicines for human diseases through transgenic animals.

Source: ScienceDaily 

author: n/a

date: April 19, 2012 

BGI Shenzhen. "World's first handmade cloned transgenic sheep born in China." ScienceDaily, 19 Apr. 2012. Web. 9 May 2012