The recloned male calf was produced using the same method as that applied to the first generation cloned bull. The process involved removing the nucleus from a skin cell obtained from the ear of the cloned bull, and then transplanting it into an unfertilized egg that had already had its nucleus removed. Including the recloned male calf, and the bull that provided the original somatic cells, there are now in existence three generations of bulls that possess an identical genetic makeup. This is expected to shed light on the mystery of life span. In recent years, somatic clone technology has been developed around the globe.
Japan is no exception, having seen the creation of second-generation somatically cloned cattle.
At present, no uniform safety guidelines exist either domestically or internationally. The ministry has also set up another research team to study the safety of residual hormones in beef imported from the United States and Australia, where such hormones are used to quicken the fattening of cattle. The findings of both research teams will be compiled within the fiscal year. Meat from Cattle Cloned from Somatic Cells Is Judged Safe to Eat The Ministry of Health and Welfare recently published a report stating that meat from both fertilized cloned cattle and somatic cell cloned cattle is safe to eat. The ministry examined the safety of such animal products as part of its research during the last fiscal year.