Two independent research groups from China have recently had success cloning a mammal (mouse) from induced pluripotent Stem cells (iPS cells). These pluripotent cells (originally mouse embryonic fibroblast cells, induced to become stem cells) were implanted with an initial 'tetraploid' embryo at the four-cell stage to trigger development from stem cells into a complete fully grown mouse. While a low efficiency was obtained (1% and 3.5%) both of the groups produced live, fertile offspring genetically identical to the stem cells they originated from.

While cloning is nothing spectacular nowadays, this new method opens the door for simpler, easy methods of cloning mammals - including the potential to be used for cloning humans in countries where such cloning is legal.

The commercial availability of kits to turn cells into iPS cells also allows greater access to the source material needed for this method of cloning.

Original publications:


iPS cells produce viable mice through tetraploid complementation

Xiao-yang Zhao1,2,5, Wei Li1,2,5, Zhuo Lv1,2,5, Lei Liu1, Man Tong1,2, Tang Hai1, Jie Hao1,2, Chang-long Guo1,2, Qing-wen Ma3, Liu Wang1, Fanyi Zeng3,4 & Qi Zhou1

iPS Cells Can Support Full-Term Development of Tetraploid Blastocyst-Complemented Embryos

Lan Kang,Jianle Wang,Yu Zhang,Zhaohui Kou andShaorong Gao