A Wisconson-based biotechnology company claims to have produced the world's first cloned dairy herd to give milk.
Eighteen cloned cows have been giving milk for several weeks according to Infigen Inc. spokesman Peter Steinerman.
The cows were introduced at the World Dairy Expo in 1999. The cloned cows gave birth to calves in December 2000, precipitating a lactation cycle. The herd proves cloned cows can reach sexual maturity, give birth normally and function on a regular dairy farm.
According to Infigan, dairy farmers could clone a high-producing cow that has been injured or dies, thereby continuing a valuable line within the herd.
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