Nisar Ahmad Wani, scientific director at the Reproductive Biotechnology Centre in Dubai, clones prized camels for Dubai's elite.
Nisar Ahmad Wani, scientific director at the Reproductive Biotechnology Centre in Dubai, clones prized camels for Dubai's elite.
CNN
In 2009, Wani successfully cloned the world's first camel. He named her Injaz, the Arabic word for "achievement." Now, the Reproductive Biotechnology Centre produce dozens of cloned calves each year. Pictured: Dromedary camel clones.
In 2009, Wani successfully cloned the world's first camel. He named her Injaz, the Arabic word for "achievement." Now, the Reproductive Biotechnology Centre produce dozens of cloned calves each year. Pictured: Dromedary camel clones.
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The center clones other animals, including sheep and buffalo, all of which are genetic replicas of the donor animals.
The center clones other animals, including sheep and buffalo, all of which are genetic replicas of the donor animals.
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"Beauty queen" camels are the most popular clones. Camel beauty pageants can offer millions of dollars in prize money.
"Beauty queen" camels are the most popular clones. Camel beauty pageants can offer millions of dollars in prize money.
CNN
Camel beauty pageants draw big crowds in the United Arab Emirates. Pictured: A "beauty queen" has its face daubed with saffron.
Camel beauty pageants draw big crowds in the United Arab Emirates. Pictured: A "beauty queen" has its face daubed with saffron.
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Camels in the UAE are also raced and ridden in polo matches. Pictured: camels equipped with robot jockeys race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village.
Camels in the UAE are also raced and ridden in polo matches. Pictured: camels equipped with robot jockeys race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village.
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Wani and his team have also established extensive cell banks and created camels that are genetically altered to produce proteins in their milk that can be used for pharmaceutical applications.
Wani and his team have also established extensive cell banks and created camels that are genetically altered to produce proteins in their milk that can be used for pharmaceutical applications.
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According to reports in the local press, a successful camel clone can cost around $50,000 (or 200,000 dirhams). The success rate for cloned camel pregnancies is only 10%, Wani says.
According to reports in the local press, a successful camel clone can cost around $50,000 (or 200,000 dirhams). The success rate for cloned camel pregnancies is only 10%, Wani says.
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Once cell samples have been taken, clones can be made of an animal even years after its death.
Once cell samples have been taken, clones can be made of an animal even years after its death.
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In the future, Wani hopes to employ the cloning technique to preserve critically endangered species, such as wild Bactrian camels.
In the future, Wani hopes to employ the cloning technique to preserve critically endangered species, such as wild Bactrian camels.
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