Cloning & Genetic Modification

[Squeak]

I’m really hoping this will link properly as I had no idea that cloning was such a big thing in Argentina/ Polo. I also hadn’t heard about genetically modifying the clones, although it doesn’t surprise me that it’s gone this way. It will be really interesting to see if the foals GM foals are born successfully or not.

One of the comments on the Facebook is really fascinating which is why I tried to link to the post because it shows a photo of five clones of the same horse, that are still youngsters, who were all born at the same stud in the same year. There’s actually quite a lot of variation between them due to the recipient mares influence, which is interesting for both cloning and embryo transfer.

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[Squeak]

For those not on fb this is the text on the post:

Kheiron Biotech, owned by Argentine Polo Player Adolfo Cambiaso clones about 100 horses each year — more than just about any company in the world — including about 10 clones of his deceased mare 'Dolfina Cuartetera'.

Next year, the company expects to double its output. Although clones are still not permitted in horse racing, cloned horses sell for upward of $1 million to the best polo clubs in Argentina, to endurance riders in the Middle East and to show-jumping equestrians around the world.

What began as an effort to immortalize champions has now become a massive, multimillion-dollar industry with Argentina imposing few rules on cloning, and polo association leaders placing no restrictions on how many cloned horses can play in a game, leaving it up to the companies and the teams to define their own limits.

Kheiron Biotech have also now begun combining cloning with gene editing.

In mid-December, they successfully implanted seven cloned, genetically modified embryos. If the pregnancies are successful, the world’s first genetically designed horse will be born next year — a horse whose genes have been edited to be stronger and faster, a sort of polo superhorse.

If he gets the green light from Argentine regulatory authorities, the company hopes to take this technology to the next level — changing the sex of a clone, for breeding purposes or perhaps to make an even better animal - asking the question, if an elite stallion was cloned, could that same horse be even more powerful as a mare?

The possibilities of this experiment — and its long-term risks — are yet to be fully understood. What are your thoughts on cloning and genetically editing horses?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/29/horse-cloning-polo-argentina/

 

[shortstuff99]

For me, I think a lot of people end up surprised that clones look different as they think genes = guaranteed expression. Which isn't the case. Gene expression is reliant on lots of different factors, and environment is a big part of that. To try and get the exact everytime then you will need everything to be exact everytime which isn't possible.

I also don't see the point of cloning for horse sport, never end up with any new combinations or surprises etc.

 

[paddi22]

how are the cruising clones doing competitvely?

 

[shortstuff99]

how are the cruising clones doing competitvely?

I haven't seen the cruising ones but the Tamarillo clones haven't really done anything special competition wise.

 

[webble]

We use genomics in cattle breeding and it works as a guide but it's only around 50-60% accurate

 

[Glitter's fun]

Be interested to know what the life expectancy is. (It is very short in cloned sheep.)



We will all have to wait and see what the competitive ability is but my prediction is that it wont be better or worse than ordinarily produced horses. Yes you can make adjustments to conformation and size etc but when you look right at the top level, the very best don't just have the right physical characteristics. Don't the truly great horses have heart & spirit that come from nurture?

 

[TheMule]

I haven't seen the cruising ones but the Tamarillo clones haven't really done anything special competition wise.

There's only 1, and he's competing at 4* pretty well

TOMATILLO

www.britisheventing.com

 

[KEK]

Aren't there a few Chilli Morning clones? I think they are still younger?

 

[TheMule]

Aren't there a few Chilli Morning clones? I think they are still younger?

There are 3 Chilli Morning clones, all out performing very well with 3 different top riders. It's a very interesting experiment!

 

[Birker2020]

I’m really hoping this will link properly as I had no idea that cloning was such a big thing in Argentina/ Polo. I also hadn’t heard about genetically modifying the clones, although it doesn’t surprise me that it’s gone this way. It will be really interesting to see if the foals GM foals are born successfully or not.

One of the comments on the Facebook is really fascinating which is why I tried to link to the post because it shows a photo of five clones of the same horse, that are still youngsters, who were all born at the same stud in the same year. There’s actually quite a lot of variation between them due to the recipient mares influence, which is interesting for both cloning and embryo transfer.

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I was briefly reading a book the other day about horse breeding and it was an old book and the author stated something along the lines that closing and indeed surrogacy was light years away and certainly not possible in reality.
Makes me smile. How we plough forwards with technology and new ways of thinking.

 

[druid]

I got to ride 2 polo pony clones, they rode and acted very similarly...they were also produced by the same yard though so hard to say if it was nature or nurture!

 

[Squeak]

There's only 1, and he's competing at 4* pretty well

TOMATILLO

www.britisheventing.com

There are 3 Chilli Morning clones, all out performing very well with 3 different top riders. It's a very interesting experiment!

Those are both really interesting. Hard to know if it's because they've had good riders etc but Tomatillo certainly must have had some genetic talent to be able to compete successfully at 4*.