Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the differences between Emma and UT's first clone Millie?

A: Emma and Millie were derived from different animals for different purposes. Emma was cloned as part of a study to determine the genetic basis for mastitis susceptibility and mastitis resistance. Tennessee Maid, Emma's cell donor, is one of many Experiment Station cows known to have diminished production because of mastitis.
Millie's birth contributed much knowledge regarding the cloning process and had she lived, her production records would have helped determine if cloned animals perform as well as their genetic equals. Teresa, Millie's cell donor, has an exceptional production record.

Q: What is Mastitis?

A: Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland caused by bacterial infection, trauma, or injury to the udder. It is the most common and most expensive disease affecting dairy cattle throughout the world. Mastitis is caused by several different bacteria that can invade the udder, multiply there and produce harmful substances that result in inflammation. The National Mastitis Council estimates that mastitis costs dairy producers in the United States more than $2 billion dollars annually. In Tennessee, the amount is estimated to measure between $15 million and $20 million annually. Consequently, mastitis continues to be one of, if not, the most significant limiting factor to profitable dairy production.

Q: What caused Millie's death?

A: Millie's death was caused by a bacterial infection that started in her intestines. The pathogen Clostridium is common on dairy farms and dairy cattle are routinely vaccinated against the bacterium. And although records show that Millie was vaccinated against the pathogen, for unknown reasons the vaccine did not protect her against the disease.

Q: Why perform cloning research?

A: Researchers at the UT Agricultural Experiment Station are participating in animal cloning research to expand scientific knowledge in a manner that will improve the quality of life for consumers and producers. Cloned cattle have the potential to improve the quality of beef and dairy products as well as the potential to enhance profitability for the world's farmers. A possible future benefit of this research will be the ability to replicate animals that carry genes resistant to disease. This will enhance production rates and holds the potential to reduce the amount of antibiotics currently necessary to maintain animal health.

The UT cloning research is specifically intended as a tool to address early embryonic development. The more we know about how embryos grow and develop, the more we can improve fertility. Infertility is a major concern of farm animal managers. It can seriously impact the profitability of an operation.

Q: What process did the UT research team follow to produce Emma?

A: See a diagram of the cloning process.

Q: Why use a beef heifer as the surrogate mother of a Jersey calf?

A: First and foremost, the UT researchers used an Angus heifer as the surrogate mother of their Jersey clone for visual confirmation that the cloning was a success. Angus cows don't give birth to obviously Jersey calves. A potential extra benefit of using an Angus heifer involved size. Emma was a bit larger than an average weight for a Jersey calf, and in most experiments to date, cloned offspring have weighed significantly more than offspring that are naturally conceived. Since Jersey cows are a smaller breed than Angus, and since Jerseys tend to have calves with lower birth weights, Edwards hoped that an Angus heifer would be better able to accommodate a developing Jersey clone if the clone was oversized.

Q: Why don't clones look exactly like the donor cows?

A: An animal's coat pattern is determined by conditions that exist in utero, that is, while the calf is still inside the womb. Therefore, a cloned calf will not have exactly the same coat pattern or markings as the animal that donated the original cell.

Q: What about cloning humans?

A: The cloning research conducted at the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station is strictly limited to farm animals -- animals that have the potential to improve the quality of life for people everywhere.

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