Two of three cloned heifers from the University of California farm in Chico have died and the third may not live. All three calves were born March 9, after a total of 28 cloned embryos were implanted into 14 Hereford cows. The three calves were the only ones that survived long enough to be born.
Charles Crabb of the university?s college of agriculture, said the cows probably died from a buildup of bacteria in their stomachs. ?It?s not uncommon for cloned animals to have problems with their immune systems,? he says.
Researchers trying to clone animals have reported that many of their attempts have ended in premature deaths and birth defects. This is something to remember when we hear scientists say they plan to clone humans.
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