Cloning breakthrough
Updated on 04 November 2008
Japanese scientists are claiming a significant step forward in cloning technology after they succeeded in cloning mice whose bodies had been frozen for up to 16 years.
The experiments, which worked despite the frozen cells bursting, raise the prospect of resurrecting long-dead species whose remains have been preserved in ice.
DNA was removed from the brain cells of the dead mice. It was then put into empty eggs and embryos were created which implanted into a surrogate mother who then gave birth to the healthy cloned mice.
The idea of bringing back dinosaurs from the dead has until now been the stuff of Hollywood fantasy. But today scientists in Japan say they've come very close to doing just that.
Scientists say it's the biggest breakthrough in cloning since British scientists cloned dolly the sheep eleven years ago. Until now only live donor cells could be used for cloning.
