The first cloned kitten, with photos

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"Operation Copycat"

It was announced by researchers at the College of Veterinary medicine, Texas A&M, that a kitten named "CC" (short for Carbon Copy) has been successfully cloned. She is developing normally for a kitten her age and appears healthy.

CC was born on December 22, 2001, and the announcement was made on Valentines Day, after DNA analysis confirmed that she was indeed a genetic clone (a genetic copy of the donor). She was cloned from cumulus cells, which surround mammalian eggs before ovulation. This is not an easy cell type to gain access to if the technique were to become widely used.

The nucleus DNA from a cumulus cell of a female three-colored (tortoiseshell or calico) cat was transplanted into the cytoplasm of another cat's egg cell from which the nucleus had been removed. The egg was then kick-started into life with an electric shock. The resulting embryo was then implanted into the surrogate tabby mother. An earlier attempt by the Texas team to clone a kitten from a tom's mouth cells failed. There were 87 attempts to transfer cloned embryos to eight female cats. Only one live clone succeeded, which shows there is still much to be learned about this process.

This cloning followed previously successful cloning of sheep, rabbits, mice, pigs, a Boer goat, a Brahma bull, and a disease-resistant Angus bull. Texas A&M researchers are also aggressively working to clone dogs and horses, although dog cells have been found to be more resistant to cloning than those of cats. The knowledge gained from cloning these animals could greatly affect several areas of science and medicine. With each new species cloned, more is learned about how this technology might be applied to improving the health of animals and humans. Animal cloning may become a useful tool for investigating human and animal disease.

The Texas A&M “CopyCat” effort was supported by $3.7 million from the Missyplicity Project, aimed at creating clones of a mixed-breed dog named Missy. It has been reported that this funding came from John Sperling, the founder of the University of Phoenix and a friend of Missy's owner, who prefers to remain anonymous. Such research is also funded by Genetics Savings & Loan, a commercial enterprise with the aim of capitalizing on the cloning of pets. The company claims their work is governed by certain ethical rules. However, it's unlikely that cloing pets will be come a common practice. The initial cost is $20,000, although many pet owners have taken advantage of the "Gene Banking" provided by that organization, at a relatively cheap $895.

For those who do have the money and desire to try to recreate a beloved pet, a warning is given that it will not be the same cat. There will be differences in coloration. The pattern of pigmentation in multi-colored animals is affected by genetic and developmental factors. The cloned kitten would not inherit the memories of the donor cat and its personality would also most likely be different, since these traits are not controlled by genetics. Cloned animals also tend to be larger than normal and have been shown to suffer from immune system problems.

So, if you have money to burn, a much better way to do it would be to donate to a shelter or rescue organization. They could do so much good with that kind of donation. Then while you're there, find one or more kittens/cats to take home with you, and start some new memories with other little beings that have their own wonderful qualities to discover and love.

CC, the first cloned kitty.
Photo courtesy of the
College of Veterinary
Medicine, Texas A&M Univ.

The cloned kitten, CC, and
her surrogate mother, Allie.
Photo courtesy of the
College of Veterinary Medi-
cine, Texas A&M University.

The cloned kitten, CC's, genetic
mother, Rainbow.
Photo courtesy of the College
of Veterinary Medicine, Texas
A&M University.

Information for this article was assembled from various scientific and news reports, including an article written by Franny Syufy, the Cats Guide for About.com. The original article on cloned cats by Franny can be found at cats.about.com/library/weekly/aa021502a.htm