World's first cloned camel Injaz turns one

The scientists who produced the world's first cloned camel plan to use the same technique to preserve endangered species across the Arabian Gulf

Published: 00:00 April 8, 2010
Gulf News

Injaz, whose name means achievement, was born on April 8 last year

Injaz, whose name means achievement, was born on April 8 last year from the ovarian cell of a camel that was slaughtered for its meat.

Dubai: The world's first cloned camel celebrates its first birthday Thursday as the scientists who produced her plan to use the same technique to preserve endangered species across the Arabian Gulf.

Injaz, meaning achievement, was born on April 8 last year from the ovarian cell of a camel that was slaughtered for its meat.

Earlier this week, the Camel Reproduction Centre (CRC) revealed the birth of the world's second cloned camel, Bin Soughan, who was produced from cells harvested from the skin of an elite bull.

Dr Nisar Ahmad Wani, Head of the Reproductive Biology Laboratory at the CRC, now hopes to clone other animals in the region that are facing extinction.

He said: "My dream is to use this technique to preserve other endangered species. I have started work on a project whereby we can use this technique for preservation. There are many animals on the verge of extinction in the Arabian Gulf. For example, there are only a few Arabian tahr left in the wild so I hope we can use this technique in the future to preserve these animals.

"We also hope to clone some good milk-producing camels. But of course we will first have to test the milk to see if it is fit for human consumption as has been the case in cattle.

"Meat and milk from cloned animals are now being utilised and there should be no problem here in the UAE but we first have to carry out the necessary tests."

In December, Gulf News reported that Injaz was exhibiting "pretty normal behaviour" since her birth.

Dr Wani added: "... In the year since her birth we have been able to utilise other cell types, in particular skin cells. Our embryo production has also increased and we have improved our techniques.

"Injaz is female and Bin Soughan is male so the behavioural differences are what you would expect, Bin Soughan is quite naughty while Injaz shows a lot of affection!"

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