Dolly the cloned sheep is big business. New cloning partnership between Rosslin Institute (Scotland) and Geron Corporation (California). Rosslin cloned Dolly, Geron Corporation perfected stem cell development, using embryo cells to create cloned human tissues for adults. Geron paid $25.9 million

in stock for Rosslin Bio-Med to create Geron Bio-Med. Deal set to make some at Rosslin Institute very wealthy. Observer 9 May 1999

UK doctor proposes human cloning by embryo splitting to create identical cloned twins, one clone to be frozen as backup in case first child dies. Human cloning technology proven by Dr Jerry Hall in Washington DC 1993, different from cloning by nuclear transfer using an adult cell. Paul Rainsbury, consultant gynaecologist at Bupa Roding Hospital Essex says he would consider “recreating” a dead child from a froze clone to ease parental grief. Times of India 30/4/99

Human cloning may produce serious gene mutations: French researchers in Lancet report cow cloned from ear cells had lethal blood and heart defects. Right chamber of clone’s heart abnormal and red and white blood cell numbers fell after birth. clone death from severe anaemia at 51 days. Times 30 April 1999

Cows cloned from mother’s milk – human clones could be made from almost any source including saliva, milk and blood implying human cloning without knowledge or consent will be possible. Daily Telegraph (Australia) 28 April 1999

Three goats cloned by Nexia Biotechnologies Canada – next step to use cloning to create goat that secretes spider silk gene in milk, commercial extraction to make BioSteel – strongest, toughest fibre in the world, tensile strength 300,000 pounds per square inch. Stronger and lighter than steel or polymers, uses could be artificial tendons or ligaments and other biodegradable structures in medicine. First cloned goats with new gene will then be breed conventionally. Reuters 28 April 1999New legislation proposed in South Korea to ban human cloning. South Korea Times 28 April 1999