Tag Archives: Cloning

Revolutionary Experiment Uncovers Major Unexpected Issues in Cloning Technology

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Mice cloning study

Limited Lifespan of Cloned Mice

Xinhua/Zhou Qi/Imago/Alamy

Cloning involves creating genetically identical copies, yet extensive research over the last 20 years reveals unexpected complexities. Clones often accumulate additional mutations, and if the cloning process is repeated, these mutations can reach lethal levels. This discovery presents important implications for cloning in agriculture, conservation, and even medical applications involving humans.

The core issue lies in the numerous mutations within clones. Adult somatic cells may accumulate more mutations than gametes (egg or sperm cells). Researchers such as Teruhiko Wakayama from the University of Yamanashi in Japan suggest that the cloning process may also contribute to these mutations. “While we once believed clones were identical to their originals, the accumulated mutations present significant challenges,” Wakayama states. “Our goal is to confirm that these mutations do not lead to complications.”

Historically, cloning mammals was deemed implausible because cellular differentiation adds various chemical tags that regulate gene activity. The successful birth of Dolly the sheep in July 1996 demonstrated that transferring the nucleus of an adult cell into an empty egg could effectively reprogram the genome, enabling cell growth. Shortly after, in October 1997, Wakayama created the first cloned mouse, Kumulina.

To evaluate the efficacy of his team’s cloning technique, Wakayama initiated cloning experiments in 2005. “Similar to how a reproduced painting loses detail, we aimed to assess the quality of the clones against the original,” he explains.


By 2013, Wakayama’s team had successfully generated over 500 mice from a single donor across 25 cloning generations, claiming, “Each cloned mouse exhibited no physical anomalies and maintained normal lifespan and health.” However, this level of success has not been replicated in other species. Cloned dogs continue to face health complications, and no primate has been cloned using adult cells to date. Initially, Wakayama believed repeated cloning in mice could extend indefinitely, yet by the 58th generation, not one clone survived.

To uncover the reasons behind this decline, the research team sequenced the genomes of ten different mice from various generations. They found an average of over 70 mutations per clonal generation, three times higher than in the naturally bred control group. Notably, after the 27th generation, significant mutations began to accumulate, even leading to the loss of the entire X chromosome.

This issue may stem from evolutionary mechanisms that protect gametes from mutations while allowing adult somatic cells to accrue more mutations. Recent studies suggest mutations accumulate eight times faster in blood cells compared to sperm. Thus, if the original cloned adult cell harbored numerous mutations, so too would the resulting clones.

Wakayama also posits that the nuclear transfer process may induce additional mutations. “It’s plausible that physical shock during nuclear transfer can damage the DNA,” he remarks. “If we can devise gentler nuclear transfer techniques, we might lower the mutation rate in cloned embryos—but we’re still seeking solutions.”

Shukrat Mitalipov, a professor at Oregon Health and Science University, remains skeptical. “The mutation rate evident in cloned subjects probably reflects the genomic nature of donor cells rather than being an inherent consequence of nuclear transfer,” he states.

While human cloning is prohibited in many regions, researchers like Mitalipov are exploring nuclear transfer’s potential for generating tissues and organs that are compatible for treatments, as well as for creating sperm and egg cells for infertility therapies. Wakayama’s findings highlight the necessity of thorough donor cell screening to prevent deleterious mutations. “Evaluating donor cell populations for harmful mutations is vital; if needed, gene editing could correct identified issues.”

Nevertheless, if the cloning process itself is responsible for inducing mutations, it presents additional challenges. Nonetheless, these findings do not signal that cloning techniques entail insurmountable risks. The mutation rate per generation remains relatively low, and safety screenings can be conducted post-cloning. However, they underscore the complexities inherent in cloning technology.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Breakthrough Discovery: Loophole Enables Quantum Cloning Technology

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Challenges of Quantum Information Backup

Ruslanas Baranauskas/Science Photo Library/Alamy

In the realm of quantum mechanics, the principle of no duplication for quantum information is considered an unbreakable rule. However, a novel technique for backing up qubits—the fundamental units of quantum computers—may potentially challenge this foundational aspect of physics.

Initially identified in the 1980s, the no-cloning theorem asserts that a quantum state, which encapsulates all information about a quantum system, cannot be duplicated. Attempts to copy this information typically compromise the fragility of the quantum properties being assessed. This principle is crucial for advancements in quantum technologies, including cryptography, enabling secure communication protocols that effectively prevent information duplication and interception.

Researchers from the University of Waterloo in Canada have introduced an unexpected breakthrough: the ability to clone a quantum system, provided the information is encrypted and accompanied by a unique one-time decryption key.

Achim Kemp states, “This method allows for the creation of numerous copies to enhance redundancy, yet all copies must remain encrypted, and each decryption key may only be utilized once.” This compliance with the no-cloning theorem assures that only a singular, unambiguous, readable copy of a qubit exists at any point.

Through an exploration of how quantum Wi-Fi and radio stations could function, Kemp and his team stumbled upon this astonishing revelation. Traditional no-cloning principles would inhibit multiple receivers from accessing identical quantum information.

While delving into the impact of random fluctuations and noise on information copying, the team discerned that these disturbances might inadvertently undermine the no-cloning theorem, prompting the question, “Why does quantum noise seem to confuse the no-cloning theorem?”

Upon thorough investigation, they concluded that noise could inadvertently serve as an encryption mechanism, disrupting the original signal, yet remaining reversible. When utilized intentionally, this phenomenon can act as a tool for secure information dissemination.

After validating this concept theoretically, the team successfully implemented the protocol on an actual IBM Heron 156-qubit quantum computing processor.

This innovative approach exhibits a level of resilience against the errors and noise characteristic of contemporary quantum computers, enabling the production of hundreds of encrypted clones of a single qubit. “In fact, we maximized our capacity on the IBM processor. Despite housing only 156 qubits, we estimated we could produce over 1,000 clones before triggering error messages,” Kemp explains.

This advancement to the no-cloning theorem holds promise for the future of quantum cloud storage and computing services. “Similar to how Dropbox ensures a file’s safety by storing it across three distinct geographical servers, this method offers a viable solution for duplicating quantum data,” Kemp adds.

Alex Kissinger from the University of Oxford remarks, “It’s a fascinating quantum cryptographic protocol with ample potential in quantum communications, where redundancy in transmitted information can be invaluable.” However, he emphasizes that this technique should not be misconstrued as cloning. “It signifies a method of dissemination rather than replication,” Kissinger clarifies. “It’s about distributing information so that one recipient can later retrieve it.”

Kemp concurs, asserting, “This isn’t cloning; it’s encrypted cloning—merely a refinement of the no-duplication theorem.”

Topics:

  • Quantum Mechanics/
  • Quantum Computing

Source: www.newscientist.com

Human Cloning: Are the Ultra-Wealthy Engaging in Secret Experiments?

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Is it conceivable that the ultra-wealthy are covertly cloning humans?

Juan Lovaro/Shutterstock

Throughout my extensive career reporting on extraordinary breakthroughs in biology, I’ve observed numerous concepts gaining massive attention, receiving thorough media scrutiny for years, and later fading from the public consciousness. Take, for instance, human cloning.

Following the landmark birth of Dolly the sheep in 1997—the first cloned mammal—speculation soared about the potential for human cloning. There were even some implausible claims about human clones existing. Yet, in recent years, such fervor has significantly diminished.

Nonetheless, reproductive technologies have evolved remarkably since the 1990s. Notably, just six years after CRISPR was unveiled, the world saw the first unlawful creation of a gene-edited child. This raises questions about what might be occurring behind closed doors. Are human clones already out there, undetected? Of course, identical twins don’t count.

What could motivate someone to engage in this? Recently, in a discussion between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, the topic of extending life via organ transplants emerged. The most effective method could involve cloning individuals for organ harvesting, thereby eliminating the common issue of immune rejection often depicted in science fiction narratives. Consider Island or the book Never Let Me Go.

Moreover, cloning brings forth the notion of creating a duplicate of a person, offering a semblance of immortality, as illustrated in the television series Foundation, where the empire is governed by successive clones. However, our experiences with identical twins tell us that sharing the same genome does not equate to being the same person. As shown by Tatiana Maslany in the series Orphan Black, each clone evolves into a distinct individual. Nevertheless, wealthy individuals can hold irrational beliefs similar to others and often display a particular desire to extend their lifespans.

For scientists, there’s also the allure of being the first to achieve a groundbreaking feat. A report from a Chinese commission determined that the creators of CRISPR children “conducted research illegally in pursuit of personal fame and profit.”

Goals of Therapeutic Cloning

So, could human clones exist? For many years, the notion of cloning mammals was deemed unfeasible. Early embryo cells have the ability to differentiate into any bodily part but quickly become specialized—a process previously thought irreversible.

Dolly’s existence disproved that theory. She was produced by fusing cells from an adult ewe’s udder with a DNA-depleted egg. Her announcement in February 1997 led to a frenzy of attempts to generate cloned human embryos. The objective wasn’t to create cloned infants, but rather to harvest embryonic stem cells for novel medical therapies. As cloned cells are a perfect match for an individual, they could theoretically be employed to produce replacement tissues and organs with no risk of immune rejection.

However, extracting stem cells from cloned human embryos has proven more challenging than anticipated. It wasn’t until 2004 that Hwang Woo-seok claimed success. At that time, I found his paper impressive, as it addressed all conceivable objections effectively. Unfortunately, the study was later revealed to be fraudulent, resulting in its retraction. This experience remains ingrained in my memory. Nowadays, whenever a thesis appears too good to be true, my initial instinct is to be skeptical.

Ultimately, true embryonic stem cells from cloned human embryos weren’t obtained until 2013. By then, alternative methods for generating compatible stem cells through the activation of specific genes had emerged, leading to a decline in interest in therapeutic cloning.

Cloned Pets and Other Animals

Conversely, animal cloning has become increasingly established. Occasionally, headlines emerge when celebrities disclose that they’ve cloned their pets. Recently, former NFL player Tom Brady made news by revealing that his dog is a clone, produced by a company acquired by Colossal Biosciences.

Apart from serving as a way to “revive” cherished pets, cloning is also utilized in agriculture and horse breeding. For instance, male horses are often castrated, meaning that if they excel in show jumping, the only method to utilize their genetic material for future breeding is through cloning.

Nonetheless, animal cloning continues to pose significant challenges. A 2022 study of the first 1000 dog clones found that the cloning process is still highly inefficient, with merely 2 percent of implanted cloned embryos resulting in live births. This inefficiency contributes to the high cost of pet cloning, around $50,000.

Moreover, about 20% of cloned dogs presented noticeable physical anomalies, including enlarged tongues, unusual eye colors, cleft palates, and excessive muscle mass. Some male dog clones even exhibited female physical traits.

But what if the wealthy and powerful could clone themselves, unburdened by such concerns?

Challenges in Adult Cloning

Multiple sources have indicated several successful monkey cloning endeavors since 2017, suggesting potential applicability for humans as well. However, these sources often fail to mention that all these primate clones have been derived from fetal cells, not adult ones.

The crux of the issue lies in the fact that reprogramming adult cells to mimic a fetal state is far more complex than reprogramming fetal cells. To me, cloning signifies creating a genetically identical replica of an adult, which is what made Dolly’s achievement exceptional.

In essence, I remain convinced that cloning an adult is still unattainable. In a world filled with dictators and eccentric billionaires, this might be a fortunate circumstance.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

OpenAI warns against releasing voice cloning tools due to safety concerns.

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OpenAI’s latest tool can create an accurate replica of someone’s voice with just 15 seconds of recorded audio. This technology is being used by AI Labs to address the threat of misinformation during a critical global election year. However, due to the risks involved, it is not being released to the public in an effort to limit potential harm.

Voice Engine was initially developed in 2022 and was initially integrated into ChatGPT for text-to-speech functionality. Despite its capabilities, OpenAI has refrained from publicizing it extensively, taking a cautious approach towards its broader release.

Through discussions and testing, OpenAI aims to make informed decisions about the responsible use of synthetic speech technology. Selected partners have access to incorporate the technology into their applications and products after careful consideration.

Various partners, like Age of Learning and HeyGen, are utilizing the technology for educational and storytelling purposes. It enables the creation of translated content while maintaining the original speaker’s accent and voice characteristics.

OpenAI showcased a study where the technology helped a person regain their lost voice due to a medical condition. Despite its potential, OpenAI is previewing the technology rather than widely releasing it to help society adapt to the challenges of advanced generative models.

OpenAI emphasizes the importance of protecting individual voices in AI applications and educating the public about the capabilities and limitations of AI technologies. The voice engine is watermarked to enable tracking of generated voices, with agreements in place to ensure consent from original speakers.

While OpenAI’s tools are known for their simplicity and efficiency in voice replication, competitors like Eleven Labs offer similar capabilities to the public. To address potential misuse, precautions are being taken to detect and prevent the creation of voice clones impersonating political figures in key elections.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Has the successful cloning of monkeys opened the door to human cloning?

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cloned rhesus monkey

Zhaodi Liao et al.

After many years and many attempts, a healthy rhesus monkey was finally created by cloning. The clone was born in China on July 16, 2020, but its existence has only now been revealed.

“The cloned rhesus macaque is now 3 years old,” team members say Fallon Lu at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. “So far, no health problems have been found during routine medical examinations.”

However, because the monkeys were cloned from fetal cells rather than adult cells, the embryos had to be provided with a non-cloned placenta. Therefore, despite this progress, primate cloning remains extremely difficult. As a result, apart from ethical and legal issues, it may not yet be technically possible to clone an adult.

Cloning is the creation of an individual that is genetically identical to another individual. Cloning plants is easy, but for most animals it is much more difficult.

Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell, was born in 1996. Since then, researchers have attempted to clone many mammalian species, with mixed results.

In some cases, cloning works relatively well.A Korean team created a clone over 1500 dogs For example, so far, success rates remain low, with fewer than 4 percent of cloned embryos leading to live births. In many other mammalian species, cloning either fails completely or produces unhealthy animals.

The main problem is that as cells in the body develop and become specialized, various so-called epigenetic markers are added to the DNA in order to turn certain genes on or off. When adult cells are cloned into empty eggs, they usually contain the wrong epigenetic markers.

Primates (a group that includes apes such as monkeys and humans) have proven particularly difficult to treat. There have been several previous reports of monkey clones, but each case so far has come with major warnings.

For example, the rhesus macaque born in 1999 is sometimes described as the first primate clone, but this individual was created not by cloning adult cells like Dolly, but by creating identical twins. It was created by splitting the embryo, as is done.

In 2022, rhesus macaques will be born. cloned from a genetically modified adult However, this clone died shortly after birth.

The most successful attempt to date was the birth of two long-tailed macaques in 2017. The researchers behind this study used a chemical cocktail to help reset epigenetic markers, but they were still able to clone only fetal cells, not adult cells.

Lu's team tried applying the same cocktail to rhesus macaques, but the only clone produced this way did not survive. The researchers concluded that the abnormalities in the cloned placenta were partially to blame, and decided to transplant the part of the early embryo that turns into a fetus (the inner cell mass) into a non-cloned embryo, where the inner cell mass forms. Developed new technology. Cell clumps were removed.

This means that the cloned fetus develops within a non-cloned placenta that is genetically distinct from it. Theoretically, the resulting fetuses could be a mixture of clonal and non-clonal cells, but the researchers found no evidence of such chimerism.

But even with the help of this complex technique, the researchers have so far only cloned fetal cells and not adult cells. In other words, healthy primates have not yet been created by cloning adult cells.

This means that whether it is possible to clone adults remains an open question. Lu wouldn't speculate on whether his team's technique would help.

“The act of cloning humans is completely unacceptable. We don't think about this,” he says.

Shukrat Mitalipov A professor at Oregon Health & Science University, who also works on cloning but was not involved in the study, says it's unclear whether the technology will help create cloned humans. “Aside from ethical issues, it is unclear whether there is any humanity. [cloned] “The fetus has placental abnormalities,” Mitalipov said.

Lu says the purpose of primate cloning is to advance research. “Rhesus monkeys are important and commonly used non-human primate laboratory animals in cognitive and biomedical research,” he says.

Meanwhile, Mitalipov's aim is to use cloning to generate stem cells that are compatible with individual treatments. “In our case, one day doctors will be able to use non-rejection, genetically compatible embryonic stem cells to replace diseased nerve, muscle, blood and other cells, or to produce eggs for infertility treatment. I hope we can produce it,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com