Researchers spent 20 years, performing over 30,000 cloning attempts, to explore the limits of cloning in mice. Their study, published in Nature Communications, found that while cloned mice appeared normal and had typical lifespans, significant mutations, including entire chromosome losses, accumulated over generations. This suggests that asexual reproduction is ultimately unsustainable for mice and possibly other mammals.
Michael Lynch, an evolutionary biologist, emphasized the implications for agriculture, noting that mutation accumulation poses risks in asexually reproducing populations, where genome mixing does not occur. The study underscores potential challenges for all cloned vertebrates.
The lead researcher, Teruhiko Wakayama, had previously created the first cloned mouse in 1997 and has since experimented with various sources of genetic material, including cells from unusual locations like urine and feces. His ongoing work aims to preserve the genetic resources of all animals. However, the findings raise concerns about the limitations of cloning and the long-term viability of maintaining genetic diversity through this method.
