The world's first cloned camel was produced and born in Dubai, scientists announced Monday. The development is especially significant for possible breeding lines for racing and milk production.
The female calf is named Injaz (Arabic for achievement) and now weighs 30 kg. It was created at the Camel Reproduction Centre (CRC) and born last Wednesday, according to UAE dailies Gulf News and the National.
The camel was produced from cells taken from the ovary of a female adult camel, the newspapers reported.
Those cells were grown in culture and then frozen in liquid nitrogen, Dr Lulu Skidmore, scientific director of the CRC, told Gulf News.
It had a gestation period of 378 days, the scientists said. An examination of the donor’s cells and ones taken from Injaz proved the match, they said.
"We are all very excited at the birth of Injaz,” Skidmore was quoted as saying. “This significant breakthrough gives a means of preserving the valuable genetics of our elite racing and milk.”
The birth comes a year after the centre developed identical twin camel calves Zahi and Bahi. The male twins were formed using embryo micro-manipulation.
Injaz represents another milestone for the centre, established in 1989, and a leader in camel breeding and genetic research and experimentation.
A decade ago, “Rama the 'Cama" was created at the centre as a hybrid between a camel and a guanaco, a member of the llama family.