First test-tube
monkeys given birth in
Source:
September 11, 2008
via CheckBiotech
CHINESE scientists have bred the country's first test-tube
monkeys, in the first step to breed genetically-engineered monkeys for scientific
research.
Dr. Sun Qiang of the
Their experiments were published by the latest edition of
the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Closest among animals to physique, genetic nature and
behavior of human beings, primate models are usually used for studying medical
treatment for human diseases.
Under the state-financed program that focuses on the primate
reproductive research and bio-engineering, Dr. Sun said, "Our next step is
to bring about more test-tube monkeys and eventually make gene-modified monkeys
benefiting for medical research."
Chinese scientists are now trying to catch up with leading
scientists in developed countries in engineering transgenic monkeys. American
researchers produced the world's first gene-modified monkey, Andi, in 2000. The scientific community has tried to use such
monkeys to find new ways to treat diabetes, the Alzheimer's, AIDS and breast
cancer.
Test-tube technology is the best available way to breed
transgenic monkeys, experts said.
Sun's team capitalized on a few new technologies on
stimulating more eggs from female monkeys and collecting semen and mammalian oocyte, as well as new ways of in vitro fertilization and
embryo transplantation.
The new technologies "can significantly improve the
pregnancy rate and live birth of healthy baby monkeys," the scientist
said.
Their technique was regarded as an efficient method in
constructing various transgenic primate disease models.
All the seven new born monkeys are healthy, Sun said, with
the oldest Lele, or Happiness, being aged at one and
half years.
Source:
greenbio.checkbiotech.org