Comments on: Cloned Wild-Kittens http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/cloned_wild-kittens/ Online Journal of Politics and Foreign Affairs Fri, 9 Jan 2009 11:05:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Kate http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/cloned_wild-kittens/#comment-55608 Kate Tue, 23 Aug 2005 21:23:05 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/11754#comment-55608 I'ts obvious that they've used the word '"cross-breed" incorrectly -- a problem common in reporting of this kind. However, a breeding from a clone is no different than breeding from it's "parent" animal in this respect. The genetics will be virtually identical, whether that animal was extremely homozygous or otherwise. (There is no such thing as "genetic diversity" in an individual, only in a population). Where cloning could come into use to help expand gene pools in endangered species is in the utilization of older, infertile animals who left few descendants or from a rare family. The clone could then be bred from, re-introducing old alleles that have since disappeared from the existing population through selection or misfortune. In theory, at least. I'ts obvious that they've used the word '"cross-breed" incorrectly -- a problem common in reporting of this kind.

However, a breeding from a clone is no different than breeding from it's "parent" animal in this respect.

The genetics will be virtually identical, whether that animal was extremely homozygous or otherwise. (There is no such thing as "genetic diversity" in an individual, only in a population).

Where cloning could come into use to help expand gene pools in endangered species is in the utilization of older, infertile animals who left few descendants or from a rare family. The clone could then be bred from, re-introducing old alleles that have since disappeared from the existing population through selection or misfortune.

In theory, at least.

]]> By: Meezer http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/cloned_wild-kittens/#comment-55599 Meezer Tue, 23 Aug 2005 20:40:54 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/11754#comment-55599 How can you cross-breed with clones? Also, there is not enough genetic diversity there to preserve a species. We line-breed our cattle and even that is dangerous if you don't really know what you are doing. Breeding clones would be like line-breeding to the nth degree. How can you cross-breed with clones? Also, there is not enough genetic diversity there to preserve a species. We line-breed our cattle and even that is dangerous if you don't really know what you are doing. Breeding clones would be like line-breeding to the nth degree.

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