Somatic cell cloned cattle continue to show large number of abnormalities

Bio Journal, Citizens' Biotechnology Information Center, Japan, Jan 2006 http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~cbic/english/2006/journal0601.html

MAFF announced on 28 November 2005 the current state of cloned animals up to the end of September 2005. According to the released data, of 474 somatic cell cloned cattle born, 72 were stillbirths, 80 died immediately following birth, 102 died from illness and so on, and only 104 have survived, showing that abnormality has now become the norm. So far 700 embryonic cell cloned cattle have been born, and it has been confirmed that 295 of these have been shipped as meat for human consumption. Since 63 head are listed as "unknown" it is thought that over 300 head have ended up on dinner tables. (See BJ February 2004) In addition, 152 somatic cell cloned pigs have also been born, but details were not given in the announcement.