Chulalongkorn debuts world’s first cloned rare buffalo from ear-skin cell

[webfact]

Chulalongkorn debuts world’s first cloned rare buffalo from ear-skin cell



BANGKOK: -- Chulalongkorn university's scientists have successfully cloned a ‘Phaya Kwai’ Thai swamp buffalo from an ear-skin cell for the first time in the world.

The success raises of bleeding this rare buffalo specie which is facing extinction.

The young cloned buffalo has been presented to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindorn and is now understanding the care of the Royal Chitralada Project.

“Clone Thong” is now at a stable in the Chitralada Palace.

It is now three years old and now weighs over 400 kilogrammes.

Clone Thong has all five unique characteristics of ‘Phaya Kwai’ Thai swamp buffalo. They are white heart-shape mark on its forehead, white tale, white-speckled ankles, white hoofs and white nose.

Phaya Kwai buffalo is a rare breed of Thai swamp buffalo and there are less than 100 in Thailand.

Ancient Thai people believe this specie of buffalo is sacred. It is a fortune animal and bring happiness to its owner and his family. Killing the animal, on the other hand, will bring bad fortune to the owner.

According to Chulalongkorn University’s research in team head Kriengsak Thasripu, the team obtained the ear-skin cell from Thai swamp buffalo in Phitsanulok province.

The cell was fussed with an egg cell of a female buffalo before the embryo was placed inside a female buffalo, which went through a normal pregnancy that took 326 days.

The researchers have begun collecting its semen and ear-skin cell for further re-cloning. They will also conduct similar cloning researches on other animals which face extinction including gaur.

He said researchers have already collected semen and ear-skin cell from Clone Thong and now will see how long it will survive and if the cloned buffalo will have the same life expectancy as Thai swamp buffalo.

According to the team, buffalo cloning is more difficult than other animal cloning due to many factors.

Buffaloes have irregular rut season while there are small number of female buffalos.

Besides, the laws also prohibit slaughter of female buffalos. For future cloning for the purpose of buffalo conservation, the researchers will, therefore, have to use semen from this cloned buffalo.

Now, the population of Thai swamp buffalo is at some 800,000 in 2015, down from one million four years ago.

Buffalo cloning success rate is one percent.

Clone Thong is the world’s second cloned buffalo.

The first cloned buffalo is in India but the calf was derived from a muscle cell.

The cloning success gives hopes to Thailand’s attempt to conserve its unique and rare buffalo specie.

(Photo : MCOT.NET)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/chulalongkorn-debuts-worlds-first-cloned-rare-buffalo-from-ear-skin-cell


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-06

[Costas2008]

Only 800,000 buffaloes in Thailand?

I always thought there are many more than that around where I live in Issan.

Must have been mistaken............................

[kotsak]

Only 800,000 buffaloes in Thailand?

I always thought there are many more than that around where I live in Issan.

Must have been mistaken............................

I think the article refers to the four-legged variety

[Lupatria]

Easy to make buffaloes since when do they need scientist for the job?

[Soutpeel]

cant see how this is news, Old square head claimed his sister was his clone years ago

[brain150]

Who ever thinks that cloning is anything the world needs then please think again ... this time use your own brain !!!

Buffalos first, humans next ... why ? Because we can !

A nightmare if it really comes true !!!

[Seastallion]

It was born 3 years ago...why bring it to the attention of the media now?

Also, if there are 100 of these buffaloes, wouldn't it be cheaper and easier, not to mention genetically more diverse, to manage a breeding program, even a surrogacy program?

[Soutpeel]

Also, if there are 100 of these buffaloes, wouldn't it be cheaper and easier, not to mention genetically more diverse, to manage a breeding program, even a surrogacy program?

not if said 100 are all related

[rabid old goat]

Who ever thinks that cloning is anything the world needs then please think again ... this time use your own brain !!!

Buffalos first, humans next ... why ? Because we can !

A nightmare if it really comes true !!!

not really, they could clone all the transvestities by the thousands and send them off to america, then all those sepos wouldnt need to come here at all.

[Songhua]

Is it sick yet?

[Daniel Ingalls]

Does this mean they can hear a little better? Whats wrong with the original Buffalo? Do we really need cloning Buffalo's.........No thank you I'm taking my Buffalo back home!

[sz1a]

Who ever thinks that cloning is anything the world needs then please think again ... this time use your own brain !!!

Buffalos first, humans next ... why ? Because we can !

A nightmare if it really comes true !!!

In every science fiction book, people like you are the ones holding society back. Luckily you will stay on earth while those who like science and progress move and colonize beyond the solar system.

[chooka]

Wasn't a sheep cloned 20 or 30 years ago? This is hardly ground breaking

[weegee]

Is it sick yet?

NO....but you can donate to the local government office, just in case.

Can see it now in a couple of more years..."SAVE THE BUFFALO FOUNDATION"...administrators Salary 2, 000, 000 Baht and free Car, phone and house.

Something like the "Save the Whale, or " Save the Great Barrier Reef'....why doesnt someone try " Save the Pensioners Dignity" or " Look after the old with respect"

Oh well...guess the buffalo is not obsolete yet here !

[maidee]

does it mean, this way, when the family buffalo gets sick and the farang is ask to pay for the vet, they can just clone the animal ?

[rabid old goat]

perhaps they could clone a white elephant.

oh thats already been done

[The Deerhunter]

cant see how this is news, Old square head claimed his sister was his clone years ago

More like daughter so I heard. OOPs that's a rumour.

[The Deerhunter]

Also, if there are 100 of these buffaloes, wouldn't it be cheaper and easier, not to mention genetically more diverse, to manage a breeding program, even a surrogacy program?

not if said 100 are all related

Well, nothing is more closely related than a clone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Daniel Ingalls]

Who ever thinks that cloning is anything the world needs then please think again ... this time use your own brain !!!

Buffalos first, humans next ... why ? Because we can !

A nightmare if it really comes true !!!

In every science fiction book, people like you are the ones holding society back. Luckily you will stay on earth while those who like science and progress move and colonize beyond the solar system.

Are your really saying Buffalo meat will bee the main staple in space?

[h90]

Also, if there are 100 of these buffaloes, wouldn't it be cheaper and easier, not to mention genetically more diverse, to manage a breeding program, even a surrogacy program?

not if said 100 are all related

yes 100 aren't a healthy population, most probably most are related.

But cloning won't help as you clone again that related genetics.....

[Trouble]

Who ever thinks that cloning is anything the world needs then please think again ... this time use your own brain !!!

Buffalos first, humans next ... why ? Because we can !

A nightmare if it really comes true !!!

Humans next? Works for me. The human species is a total disaster. Maybe they can clone some intelligence into the human race.

[Beetlejuice]

Does this mean they can hear a little better? Whats wrong with the original Buffalo? Do we really need cloning Buffalo's.........No thank you I'm taking my Buffalo back home!

This means that when a girl says her buffalo is sick, we can answer; no problem, just clone another one.

[kiwikeith]

Only 800,000 buffaloes in Thailand?

I always thought there are many more than that around where I live in Issan.

Must have been mistaken............................

I think the article refers to the four-legged variety

Not the ATM variety-- exactly.

[Robby nz]

cant see how this is news, Old square head claimed his sister was his clone years ago

Now she has been banned he may be wanting a bit of her ear so he can clone some more PM;s for future use.