Today's Edition
MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
Have you ever encountered a wolf? Or a goat from the Alps? Both are on show at this year's Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX), as they are among those cloned by the UAE Biotech Research Centre.
For the centre, cloning is a way to save rare, genetically valuable animal lines.
“Our goal is to preserve rare and authentic breeds, whether in camels or goats, especially those with very high milk production,” said Dr Afra Al Dhaheri, Project Manager and Veterinary Doctor at the UAE Biotech Research Centre.
At its ADIHEX pavilion this year, the centre is showcasing cloned Alpine goats for the first time.
Now about a year old, the goats carry genes from a line that has won awards in competitions locally and abroad. The breed was also chosen for its milk yield, with some animals producing more than 14 litres a day.
The mission, Al Dhaheri stressed, is not just about cloning for cloning’s sake but to "carry out natural breeding to increase the numbers of Alpine goats in the future”.
Preserving distinctive genetic material is central to the hub’s research. For example, one of its biggest successes is the cloning of Mabroukan, a beauty pageant champion camel. Work began in 2019, and the first 10 clones were born in 2021.
“If we had not cloned Mabroukan, which died in 2010, that bloodline would have been lost,” Al Dhaheri said. “Thankfully, we preserved it.”
The centre is also applying its research to endangered wildlife, including the Arabian wolf.
Brown wolves were displayed for the first two days of ADIHEX, followed by Arabian wolves. Northwestern — or Mackenzie — wolves are expected to join the lineup before the event ends, Al Dhaheri said.
How It Works
The process of cloning begins with a small tissue sample, often from the ear, Al Dhaheri explained.
The sample goes to a lab, where cells are isolated and cultured. Once suitable cells are ready, an egg is taken from a donor animal and stripped of its nuclear DNA.
The cultured cell is then fused with the enucleated egg. The resulting embryo develops through further lab stages before being transferred to a surrogate mother, which carries the pregnancy to term.
The same basic principle applies across species, she said, though techniques and timelines vary. Goats gestate for about five months, while camels for 11 to 13.
Why It Matters
Beyond conservation, the centre sees animal biotechnology as a contributor to the UAE's long-term food security and livestock development, by preserving animals with desirable traits and safeguarding valuable genetic resources.
“Cloning generally supports food security and the preservation of rare animals,” Al Dhaheri said.
She added that cloning is only one part of the centre’s research programme, with several other projects in the works. Further developments will be announced in the future.
