Mammal cloning cannot be endless: Mouse line fails at generation 58
Phys.org • • science
Key Points:
- Japanese scientists have discovered a limit to mammal cloning, finding that after 57 generations of cloned mice, survival rates plummet and the 58th generation did not survive, marking the first evidence that mammals cannot be cloned indefinitely.
- Over two decades, the team cloned more than 1,200 mice from a single original mouse, observing a buildup of harmful genetic mutations over generations that led to "mutational meltdown."
- The study supports the theory of Muller's ratchet, showing that asexual reproduction in mammals leads to an accumulation of deleterious mutations, while sexual reproduction remains essential for long-term species survival.
- Despite initial hopes that cloning could be used for conservation or mass animal production, the findings suggest significant biological limits, challenging ideas about indefinite cloning or large-scale cloning projects.
- The research team is exploring new cloning techniques and non-invasive cell collection methods to aid endangered species conservation, including cloning from urine and feces samples.
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