Dr Walker said it was important for Australia to have several teams working on cloning because it lagged behind some other countries. It was about time we came up with the goods. And it's a double banger. This is about delivering technology to Australian industry so it can be world class in a very competitive international marketplace. Dr Ian Lewis, of Genetics Australia in Melbourne, said his team had obtained DNA confirmation that Suzi the calf was a true clone only on Monday, prompting the announcement on Tuesday.
Scientists do like to be first.
Matilda and Suzi were created by fusing a mature cell from a foetal animal with an egg that had all its DNA removed. Mr Lewis said the ability to clone merinos and produce identical copies of a prize sheep would allow the industry to leapfrog generations of animals in the search for the premium wool types favoured by international markets. It could take 13 years with traditional breeding to improve bloodlines from the parent stud down to the flock level. The name Matilda was chosen because it captured the pioneering spirit of Australia, Dr Walker said. A failure in this reprogramming is believed to be the cause of death of newborn clones.