Animal cloning, the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cloning, became a buzzword when Dolly, the

first mammalian species was born from the nuclear transfer of fibroblasts taken from adult sheep. The
technique revolutionized the field regenerative medicine, and paved way to engineer stem cells for
biomedical applications. At present, a number of animal species including cloned transgenic animals are
produced. There are scopes to improve the technique for its wider use for health and welfare of humans

Multiplying a superior livestock, and seeing their pets as immortal, is the utmost wish of farmers and pet
lovers. Cloning by SCNT (Fig. 10.1) promises to achieve the goals. Milestone breakthroughs are already
achieved to disseminate superior animals, resurrecting dead animals, births from sterile animals such as
mule, and cloning the pets

However, the higher vertebrates, such as mammals are unable to rejuvenate, and multiply either by
parthenogenetic embryonic development or by sexual reproduction involving union of two gametes. The
principal of SCNT is that each cell in any individual possesses full genetic code for developing into an
embryo, and then offspring. The SCNT helps in reprogramming the genome of finally matured cells
(called donor cell), thus provides the ways of redirecting the matured cells to a totipotent embryonic
stage. Hence, cloning by SCNT circumvents the processes that normally occur during gametogenesis,
enabling development of embryo which develop into fetus and then live offspring. The reprogrammed
cells directed to differentiate into specialized cell types. In SCNT, the recipient oocytes (cytoplasts)
possess fully functional and healthier mitochondria which supports the metabolism competence, cope
with the oxidative stress, and rejuvenate mitochondrial functioning of aged cells Prior to advent of
current SCNT, embryo splitting was used to produce identical copies of the animals, called identical
twins. The technique had some limitations. The embryos could be split into two or four parts which
possess capacity to rejuvenate and develop into new embryos. The nuclear transfer cloning has paved
the way to restore precious progeny-tested economically important and can be used to repopulate
species that are endangered or are vulnerable to extinction. SCNT is routinely used to produce cloned
transgenic model animals for biomedical applications. The rodents (Kaminuma et al. 2017) and pigs (Lee
et al. 2017) are most commonly cloned by using transgenic somatic or stem cells. A number of animal
species were cloned thereafter by using SCNT or the modified forms of the original protocols. Recently,
the biologists at Shanghai (China) used the SCNT to create healthy clones (Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua) of
non-human primate, the macaque monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). More births of the cloned macaques
are awaited. The scientists believe that cloning of primates combined with CRISPR-Cas9, a potent gene-
editing tool, can mark the beginning of a new era of basic and biomedical sciences and will revolutionize
the studies of human genetic diseases (Liu et al. 2018). It is envisaged that it might be possible to
genetically engineer the primate models of human diseases by combining both the methods.

Nuclear transfer cloning is a valuable tool in strategic breeding programs because it can more quickly
and precisely extend elite genotypes for semen production, increased breeding opportunities, and
protection from untimely loss of superior animals. By cloning most elite animals with the most sought-
after genetics or a higher disease-resistance, the livestock breeders can advance the quality and
consistency of their livestock products. Due to complexity of the steps involved in reconstructing
oocytes by nuclear transfer, novel protocols should be developed to minimize the damages inflicted
during micromanipulation. Efficiency of animal cloning can possibly be improved by using optimized
operational procedures, including treating the donor cells, appropriate activation of cloned couplets, use
of suitable culture media for pre-implantation embryo development stage, and proper neonate health
care.