Pet cloning company Sinogene created China’s first cloned feline for $35,000, showing country’s emergence in potentially profitable new industry

Briefing

Pet cloning company Sinogene created China's first cloned feline for $35,000, showing country’s emergence in potentially profitable new industry

September 9, 2019

Briefing

  • China’s First Cloned Cat – Pet cloning company Sinogene cloned 22-year old businessman Huang Yu's cat named Garlic, which was preserved in refrigerator, for $35,000
  • Cloning Process – Took skin cells from corpse and injected them into egg cells from other cats, creating 40 embryos implanted into four surrogate mothers, resulting in three pregnancies, including two miscarriages and one successful clone
  • China as Emerging Clone Leader – Chinese researchers had produced female goat, first monkey clones, super strong dogs, and first genetically edited babies, showing country’s emergence as cloning superpower alongside U.S., Britain and South Korea
  • Not Exact Copy – Although cloned cat proved to have matching DNA, Huang Yu noticed it was missing patch of black fur on chin, in addition to cat having slightly different coloration
  • Potentially Profitable Industry – Could be profitable given China’s growing pet market, demand for pet cloning, largely unregulated industry, and lack of laws against animal cruelty in country
  • Next Steps – Sinogene plans to clone horses and endangered animals like pandas and South China tiger in future

Accelerator

Sector

Healthcare/Health Sciences

Function

Marketing and Business Development, Research and Development

Organization

Sinogene

Source

Original Publication Date

September 4, 2019

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