• Seven-month-old Dolly, the genetically cloned sheep, looks toward the camera at the Roslin Institute Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1997. It was revealed that Dolly, the first animal to be genetically cloned from adult cells, got her name from Country singer Dolly Parton.See other things scientists have cloned. Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS / AP1997
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Seven-month-old Dolly, the genetically cloned sheep, looks toward the camera at the Roslin Institute Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1997. It was revealed that Dolly, the first animal to be genetically cloned from adult cells, got her name from Country singer Dolly Parton.


See other things scientists have cloned.
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Seven-month-old Dolly, the genetically cloned sheep, looks toward the camera at the Roslin Institute Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1997. It was revealed that Dolly, the first animal to be genetically cloned from adult ... more
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Cattle aren't the only animals scientists have cloned. Dewey the deer, cloned by researchers at Texas A&M University on May 23, 2003.


Click through the rest of the slideshow to see what other animals have been cloned by scientists.  
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Cattle aren't the only animals scientists have cloned. Dewey the deer, cloned by researchers at Texas A&M University on May 23, 2003.

Click through the rest of the slideshow to see what other animals have
... more
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While scientists have not cloned an entire human, this little girl was treated with cloned skin grown in the US after an accident left her with burns on 80 percent of her body.
While scientists have not cloned an entire human, this little girl was treated with cloned skin grown in the US after an accident left her with burns on 80 percent of her body.
Photo: Gallo Images, Getty Images
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Meet "C.C." the first cloned cat. She was created at Texas A & M in 2001. Read more here. lounges on the porch of her cat house, in the backyard of their caregiver, Dr. Duane Kraemer and his wife Shirley, Wednesday, May 11, 2011, in College Station. "C.C." is about to turn 10-years-old later this year. less
Meet "C.C." the first cloned cat. She was created at Texas A & M in 2001. Read more here. lounges on the porch of her cat house, in the backyard of their caregiver, Dr. Duane Kraemer and his wife ... more
Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle
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Dolly, right, the first cloned sheep produced through nuclear transfer from differentiated adult sheep cells, and Polly, the world's first transgenic lamb, are in their pen in Scotland, in early December, 1997. Scientists at the Roslin Institute produced Molly and Polly cloned with a human gene so that their milk will contain a blood clotting protein that can be extracted for use in treating human hemophilia. Dr. Ian Wilmut's technique motivated many governments to ban research on human cloning. Dolly was later naturally mated and gave birth to a healthy lamb. less
Dolly, right, the first cloned sheep produced through nuclear transfer from differentiated adult sheep cells, and Polly, the world's first transgenic lamb, are in their pen in Scotland, in early December, 1997. ... more
Photo: JOHN CHADWICK, ASSOCIATED PRESS
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South Korean scientists have cloned cats that glow red when exposed to ultraviolet rays, an achievement that could help develop cures for human genetic diseases.
South Korean scientists have cloned cats that glow red when exposed to ultraviolet rays, an achievement that could help develop cures for human genetic diseases.
Photo: Choi Byung-kil, AP
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These three generations of cloned mice were created by a relatively simple cloning techique discovered by scientists at the University of Hawaii in 1998. This was the first documented cloning of an adult mammal after Dolly the Sheep in 1996. less
These three generations of cloned mice were created by a relatively simple cloning techique discovered by scientists at the University of Hawaii in 1998. This was the first documented cloning of an adult mammal ... more
Photo: Getty Images
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In 2003, a biotech company in France showed off the first cloned rat. A quirk in rodents' physiology thwarted many earlier attempts to genetically duplicate this important laboratory animal.
In 2003, a biotech company in France showed off the first cloned rat. A quirk in rodents' physiology thwarted many earlier attempts to genetically duplicate this important laboratory animal.
Photo: HO, AP
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A cloned ox is displayed after a press conference to announce the successful cloning of an ox that died in 1993 and was preserved by freezing it at the Gifu prefecture's livestock center in Japan on January 8, 2008. less
A cloned ox is displayed after a press conference to announce the successful cloning of an ox that died in 1993 and was preserved by freezing it at the Gifu prefecture's livestock center in Japan on January 8, ... more
Photo: AFP, AFP/Getty Images
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Prometea, the first cloned horse, was cloned from an adult cell of a horse who gave birth to her genetic twin. Prometea weighed in at 36 kilos (80lbs) when she was born in 2003 in Italy.
Prometea, the first cloned horse, was cloned from an adult cell of a horse who gave birth to her genetic twin. Prometea weighed in at 36 kilos (80lbs) when she was born in 2003 in Italy.
Photo: VINCENZO PINTO, AFP/Getty Images
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In 2007 scientists said they had created the world's first cloned embryo from a monkey, in work that could spur cloning of human cells for use in medical research. They used the same method that created Dolly the Sheep and other animals. It was the first time that this technique has been successfully used to create cloned primate embryos. less
In 2007 scientists said they had created the world's first cloned embryo from a monkey, in work that could spur cloning of human cells for use in medical research. They used the same method that created Dolly ... more
Photo: PETER PARKS, AFP/Getty Images
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These are three of 14 piglets cloned by Italian researchers in 2005. The pigs were born to further the understanding of animal to human organ donation.
These are three of 14 piglets cloned by Italian researchers in 2005. The pigs were born to further the understanding of animal to human organ donation.
Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, AFP/Getty Images
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Scientists said they had successfully cloned a gaur in 2001. It was the first example of an endangered species to be cloned, but the ox-like animal died shortly after birth.
Scientists said they had successfully cloned a gaur in 2001. It was the first example of an endangered species to be cloned, but the ox-like animal died shortly after birth.
Photo: Getty Images
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Cloned female wolfs, named Snuwolf and Snuwolffy, are seen in a cage at a zoo in southern Seoul in 2007.
Cloned female wolfs, named Snuwolf and Snuwolffy, are seen in a cage at a zoo in southern Seoul in 2007.
Photo: AFP, AFP/Getty Images
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In this 2012 photo, onca pintada jaguars interact at the Jardim Zoo in Brazil. The scientists at Brazil's Embrapa agriculture research agency said they have built a gene library with hundreds of samples from eight native species, including the collared anteater, the bush dog, the black lion tamarin, the coati, and deer and bison varieties, as well as the onca pintada jaguar and the maned wolf. less
In this 2012 photo, onca pintada jaguars interact at the Jardim Zoo in Brazil. The scientists at Brazil's Embrapa agriculture research agency said they have built a gene library with hundreds of samples from ... more
Photo: Eraldo Peres, Associated Press
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Cloned dairy cows Cyagra, left, and Genesis, right, share hay together as they eat at a farm in Maryland in 2006. Federal scientists have concluded there is no difference between food from cloned animals and food from conventional livestock. less
Cloned dairy cows Cyagra, left, and Genesis, right, share hay together as they eat at a farm in Maryland in 2006. Federal scientists have concluded there is no difference between food from cloned animals and ... more
Photo: CHRIS GARDNER, AP
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James Symington poses with five puppies cloned from a German shepherd that reportedly took part in the search-and-rescue effort after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
James Symington poses with five puppies cloned from a German shepherd that reportedly took part in the search-and-rescue effort after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Photo: Damian Dovarganes, AP
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In this image provided by BioArts International, BioArts International chief executive Lou Hawthorne poses with dogs cloned from his family pet in 2008.
In this image provided by BioArts International, BioArts International chief executive Lou Hawthorne poses with dogs cloned from his family pet in 2008.
Photo: AP
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Here are two puppies cloned through fat stem cells from a Beagle donor. A South Korean bio-engineering company claimed a world first, saying it has successfully cloned dogs using stem cells derived from fat tissue in 2009. less
Here are two puppies cloned through fat stem cells from a Beagle donor. A South Korean bio-engineering company claimed a world first, saying it has successfully cloned dogs using stem cells derived from fat ... more
Photo: STR, AFP/Getty Images
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Two cloned goats are displayed during the Bio Taiwan 2003 at World Trade Center before an exhibition in Taipei.
Two cloned goats are displayed during the Bio Taiwan 2003 at World Trade Center before an exhibition in Taipei.
Photo: SAM YEH, AFP/Getty Images
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A cloned mule named Utah Pioneer stands in front of his surrogate mother named Idaho Rose in 2003.
A cloned mule named Utah Pioneer stands in front of his surrogate mother named Idaho Rose in 2003.
Photo: JASON HUNT, AP
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Elvis is a calf cloned by ViaGen Inc. of Austin, Texas, and groomed for breeding.
Elvis is a calf cloned by ViaGen Inc. of Austin, Texas, and groomed for breeding.
Photo: GUZY
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In this undated photo provided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, cloned monkeys Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua sit together with a fabric toy. For the first time, researchers have used the cloning method that produced Dolly the sheep to create two healthy monkeys, potentially bringing scientists closer to being able to do that with humans. (Sun Qiang and Poo Muming/Chinese Academy of Sciences via AP) less
In this undated photo provided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, cloned monkeys Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua sit together with a fabric toy. For the first time, researchers have used the cloning method that ... more
Photo: Sun Qiang And Poo Muming, AP
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Poo Muming, director of the Institute of Neurosciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences speaks during an interview at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. For the first time, researchers have used the cloning method that produced Dolly the sheep to create two healthy monkeys, potentially bringing scientists closer to being able to do that with humans. less
Poo Muming, director of the Institute of Neurosciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences speaks during an interview at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. For the first time, ... more
Photo: Mark Schiefelbein, AP
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In this undated photo provided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, cloned monkey Zhong Zhong sits with a fabric toy. For the first time, researchers have used the cloning method that produced Dolly the sheep to create two healthy monkeys, potentially bringing scientists closer to being able to do that with humans. (Sun Qiang and Poo Muming/Chinese Academy of Sciences via AP) less
In this undated photo provided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, cloned monkey Zhong Zhong sits with a fabric toy. For the first time, researchers have used the cloning method that produced Dolly the sheep to ... more
Photo: Sun Qiang And Poo Muming, AP
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In this undated photo provided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, cloned monkey Hua Hua sits with a fabric toy. For the first time, researchers have used the cloning method that produced Dolly the sheep to create two healthy monkeys, potentially bringing scientists closer to being able to do that with humans. (Sun Qiang and Poo Muming/Chinese Academy of Sciences via AP) less
In this undated photo provided by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, cloned monkey Hua Hua sits with a fabric toy. For the first time, researchers have used the cloning method that produced Dolly the sheep to ... more
Photo: Sun Qiang And Poo Muming, AP
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Sun Qiang, center, the director of the Nonhuman Primate Facility of the Institute of Neurosciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, speaks as Poo Muming, left, director of the Institute of Neurosciences and Liu Zhen, right, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Neurosciences listen during a press conference at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. For the first time, researchers have used the cloning method that produced Dolly the sheep to create two healthy monkeys, potentially bringing scientists closer to being able to do that with humans. less
Sun Qiang, center, the director of the Nonhuman Primate Facility of the Institute of Neurosciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, speaks as Poo Muming, left, director of the Institute of Neurosciences and ... more
Photo: Mark Schiefelbein, AP
Image 34 of 35
Sun Qiang, the director of the Nonhuman Primate Facility of the Institute of Neurosciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences speaks to reporters after a press conference at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. For the first time, researchers have used the cloning method that produced Dolly the sheep to create two healthy monkeys, potentially bringing scientists closer to being able to do that with humans. less
Sun Qiang, the director of the Nonhuman Primate Facility of the Institute of Neurosciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences speaks to reporters after a press conference at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in ... more
Photo: Mark Schiefelbein, AP
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NEW YORK (AP) — For the first time, researchers have used the cloning method that produced Dolly the sheep to create healthy monkeys, bringing science an important step closer to being able to do the same with humans.

Since Dolly's birth in 1996, scientists have cloned nearly two dozen kinds of mammals, including dogs, cats, pigs, cows and polo ponies, and have also created human embryos with this method. But until now, they have been unable to make babies this way in primates, the category that includes monkeys, apes and people.

"The barrier of cloning primate species is now overcome," declared Muming Poo of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai.

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Scientists in Shanghai have produced the first cloned primates with the same method used to clone dolly the sheep twenty years ago. Tony Spitz has the details.

Media: Buzz 60

In a paper released Wednesday by the journal Cell, he and his colleagues announced that they successfully created two macaques. The female baby monkeys, about 7 and 8 weeks old, are named Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua.

"It's been a long road," said one scientist who tried and failed to make monkeys and was not involved in the new research, Shoukhrat Mitalipov of Oregon Health & Science University. "Finally, they did it."

In principle, Poo said, the feat means humans can be cloned. But he said his team has no intention of doing that. Mainstream scientists generally oppose making human babies by cloning, and Poo said society would ban it for ethical reasons.

Instead, he said, the goal is to create lots of genetically identical monkeys for use in medical research, where they would be particularly valuable because they are more like humans than other lab animals such as mice or rats.

The process is still very inefficient — it took 127 eggs to get the two babies — and so far it has succeeded only by starting with a monkey fetus. The scientists failed to produce healthy babies from an adult monkey, though they are still trying and are awaiting the outcome of some pregnancies. Dolly caused a sensation because she was the first mammal cloned from an adult.

The procedure was technically challenging. Essentially, the Chinese scientists removed the DNA-containing nucleus from monkey eggs and replaced it with DNA from the monkey fetus. These reconstituted eggs grew and divided, finally becoming an early embryo, which was then placed into female monkeys to grow to birth.

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The scientists implanted 79 embryos to produce the two babies. Still, the approach succeeded where others had failed. Poo said that was because of improvements in lab techniques and because researchers added two substances that helped reprogram the DNA from the fetus. That let the DNA abandon its job in the fetus, which involves things like helping to make collagen, and take on the new task of creating an entire monkey.

The Chinese researchers said cloning of fetal cells could be combined with gene editing techniques to produce large numbers of monkeys with certain genetic defects that cause disease in people. The animals could then be used to study such diseases and test treatments. The researchers said their initial targets will be Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Mitalipov, noting the Chinese failed to produce healthy babies from adult cells, said he suspects attempts to clone babies from a human adult would also fail. "I don't think it would be advisable to anyone to even think about it," he said.

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Jose Cibelli, a scientist at Michigan State University, said it might be technically possible someday, but "criminal" to try now because of the suffering caused by the many lost pregnancies the process entails.

If the procedure became efficient enough in monkeys, he said, society could face "a big ethical dilemma" over whether to adapt it for humans. The key step of transferring DNA might be combined with gene editing to correct genetic disorders in embryos, allowing healthy babies to be born, he said.

Of course, the familiar image of human cloning involves making a copy of someone already born. That might be possible someday, but "I don't think it should be pursued," said researcher Dieter Egli of Columbia University. "I can't think of a strong benefit."

Henry Greely, a Stanford University law professor who specializes in the implications of biomedical technologies, said the strongest argument he can think of would be the desire of grieving parents to produce a genetic duplicate of a dead child. But he doubts that's a compelling enough reason to undertake the extensive and costly effort needed to get such a procedure approved, at least for "decades and decades."

Marcy Darnovsky, executive director of the Center for Genetics and Society in Berkeley, California, called it unethical to subject that new child to "the psychological and emotional risks of living under the shadow of its genetic predecessor." Human cloning could also require many women to donate eggs and to serve as surrogates, she said.

At the moment, because of safety concerns, federal regulators in the U.S. would not allow making a human baby by cloning, and international scientific groups also oppose it, said biomedical ethics expert Insoo Hyun of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals condemned the monkey-cloning experiments.

"Cloning is a horror show: a waste of lives, time and money — and the suffering that such experiments cause is unimaginable," PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said in a statement.

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Associated Press reporter Dake Kang in Beijing contributed to this story.

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Follow Malcolm Ritter at @MalcolmRitter His recent work can be found at http://tinyurl.com/RitterAP

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This Associated Press series was produced in partnership with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.