An unexpected industry has become quite popular in Dubai: camel cloning. In the UAE, camels are a cultural symbol that are used in beauty pageants, races, and more. The Reproductive Biotechnology Centre in Dubai has been cloning camels since 2009, and the practice has gained traction in recent years. Cloning is done by integrating DNA from the donor animal into an egg, which is transferred to a surrogate. The organization frequently clones camel beauty queens and racing champions, and can even replicate a deceased camel for grieving owners. The process is estimated to cost around $50,000 per camel clone. The researchers at the Reproductive Biotechnology Centre are using the technology to start cloning other kinds of animals, like buffalo and sheep, but camels remain their priority.
Image via CNN
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