France and Vietnam save species through cloning

Updated: 13/06/2005

France is currently sponsoring Vietnam in inventorying its rare animals and while also gearing up the program of cloning animals facing extinction.

The Center for International Research and Agriculture Development (CIRAD) has released a study on cloning, reporting that ?French researchers have conducted the inventory of animals in Vietnam and launched the program of cloning rare animals in danger of extinction.?

Among the most endangered species is the Sao La (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), a form of wild ox weighing about 100 kilos and found only in remote regions of Vietnam.

?Preserving the Sao La is an absolutely urgent task. Researchers are concerned about the ways to preserve this kind of animal and cloning is regarded as the most effective method, ? stated CIRAD.

Using techniques involving cell-nucleus transformation methods, scientists have succeeded in producing embryos that can survive for six days. Some of these embryos have already been ?hibernated? for transplant into a female Sao La?s womb.

The program is part of the Biodiva project sponsored by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In place since 2003 and expected to end in 2006, the programme aims to inventory and preserve such species as the Bizong bull, the Javan rhinoceros and Muntjac stags.

(Sources: Vietnam Net June 13rd 2005)