09.11.2000 13:00 |
For the first time the cloning of a mammal was done in Russia On February 27, 1997 the most prestige magazine of the world, "NATURE",
published the information concerning the birth of the first mammal
created by cloning technique, the lamb named Dolly. The work was done
under Ian Wilmut at the experimental cattle-breeding farm in Roslin
Institute (Edinburgh, Scotland). (It will be recalled that cloning
technique provides one with the unisexual reproduction of genetically
identical individuals).
The excellent experiment of the Scottish scientists, however,
can hardly be considered as a pioneering one. It is the Soviet
researchers L.M.Chailahian, B.N.Veprentsev, T.D.Sviridova, and V.A.Nikitin
who were actually the first to have succeeded in this approach. Their
experimental findings were reported in the reliable Soviet magazine
"BIOFIZIKA" ("Biophysics"), vol.XXXII, issue 5, 1987.
In addition, a correspondent for the "NEZAVISIMAYA
GAZETA"
("Independent newspaper") was informed by Aleksei Karnauhov, Doctor
in Physics and Mathematics, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Cell
Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Pushchino) that the
paper of Russian authors was first sent to ... "NATURE"! It is not
worth while mentioning that this piece of information did not ever
appear in the weekly magazine. The Editorial Board of the respectable
magazine did not give reasons for denying the paper. There was not
a refusal but the absolute silence in responce.
Vladimir Lipunov
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