Would you clone a horse? Anyone know anywhere outside the US?

[ropa]

Pretty much as the title suggests really! Would you clone a horse? Does anyone know anywhere outside the US where this can be done? I heard that the problem with sending the DNA to the US for storage is that by the time it gets through customs the DNA may have died! Can it be done in the UK commercially yet?

 

[Moomin1]

Absolutely not. Apart from being immoral and the welfare implications involved, I wouldn't want a clone of my horse. She is unique and no clone would make up for her once she is gone. I would want to start afresh with a new character as I did when my old pony died and I got my current girl.

 

[Apercrumbie]

Even ignoring all the health problems with clones, I don't believe you can ever get a true clone so no I would never do it. Nothing will bring them back sadly, although the implications for our top stallions would be interesting as in theory they could keep "breeding" indefinitely.

 

[cobgoblin]

No, never. When you clone from an existing animal you are using aged DNA, the telomeres are already shortened, so essentially you are creating a young animal with old DNA. Hardly fair!

 

[doriangrey]

This was brought up in a thread a while back. I was surprised to find out how far cloning had progressed in the horse world. Link for info/interest:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/s...tamarillo-is-groomed-for-success-8827747.html

 

[Beausmate]

http://www.cryozootech.com/index.php?m=home&d=home&l=en Located in France. Seems popular to use gelded showjumpers.

Not something I would do, I think it may cause problems in the future. Too much messing around with nature

 

[AmyMay]

No.

 

[Polos Mum]

I think even if the science could be sorted so the health problems were fixed - most people would be disappointed. The up bringing, not just human interactions but lessons from the dam, interactions with other youngsters etc. not to mention breaking and bringing on have so much impact on a horses attitude a genetic clone of Red Rum, Dessy or one of the top eventers or any of the other greats could still be absolutely rubbish!