Dies of lung infection, another on the way.
In a path-breaking development, Indian animal scientists today announced the birth of the world's first cloned buffalo calf. It has been developed by using an indigenously evolved advanced, yet relatively simple, "hand-guided cloning technique", rather than the conventional cloning technology followed elsewhere in the world for producing cloned sheep and cattle.
The calf, however, managed to survive for a few days and died of lung infection. But another cloned calf is expected in about two months, scientists at the Karnal-based National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) said.
The cloned buffalo calf was born on February 6. It was developed by a team of scientists working at the NDRI's Animal Biotechnology Centre.
This development assumes significance because the buffalo is an important milch animal only in India, Pakistan and, to a considerably less extent, in some east-Asian countries. Hardly any research and development work on the buffalo is being undertaken in other countries.
In India, buffaloes are the major milk producers for sustaining the thriving dairy industry. They constitute less than 50 per cent of the total bovine population but account for over 55 per cent of the country's total milk production. India is also the world leader in research on buffalo improvement. It is already working on mapping of the buffalo gene.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Director-General Mangala Rai has congratulated the NDRI team of scientists on their success in developing a buffalo clone with indigenous technology. He said the new technique of hand-guided cloning would help face the challenge of meeting the increasing demand of milk.
ICAR Deputy Director-General (animal sciences) KM Bujarbaruah, also congratulated the scientists. He said there was an acute shortage of outstanding buffalo bulls and the new technology could make elite bulls available for breeding purpose in the shortest possible time.
According to NDRI scientists, the new technique of cloning is simpler and did not require sophisticated and expensive equipment, such as micromanipulators, which were used in developing the world's first cloned sheep "Dolly". The Indian technique, moreover, required less time and skill. The biggest advantage of this technique is that the calf of the desired sex can be produced.
The team of scientists included SK Singla, RS Manik, MS Chauhan, P Palta, RA Shah and A George.
