The World Of Camel Cloning In UAE: How We Resurrect Lost Animals | The Resurrection Quest - Ep 3/4

Key Concepts:

• Cloning: Creating genetically identical copies of an organism.
• De-extinction: The process of reviving extinct species.
• Embryo Transfer: Implanting an embryo into a surrogate mother.
• Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): Cells reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state.
• Chimeras: Organisms composed of cells with different genotypes.
• Pleistocene Park: An experimental rewilding project in Siberia.
• Surrogate Mother: A female animal used to carry and give birth to an embryo that is not her own.
• Teaser Bull: A sterilized bull used to detect heat in female rhinos.
• Germ Cells: Cells involved in reproduction (sperm and egg).
• Rewilding: Reintroducing species to restore an ecosystem.

1. Camel Cloning and Beauty Pageants

• Multi-Million Dollar Industry: Camel racing and beauty contests are significant industries, with winning camels being highly valuable.
• Genetic Material: Cloning allows for the creation of multiple copies of racing champions with the same genetic material.
• Physical Features for Racing: Focus is on cardiovascular system, strong heart and lungs, good joints, and long legs. Lean build is preferred.
• Commercial Value of Cloning: Cloning and reproductive biotechnologies enhance livestock production, producing elite animals and improving the genetic pool.
• Beauty Camel Standards: Beauty camels are judged on hump shape and proportion, small backside, long elegant legs, droopy lip, and proportional features.
• Female Preference: Only female camels are shown in beauty contests.
• Techniques and Regulations: Owners may use techniques like Botox and steroids, but strict regulations exist to prevent disqualification. Cloning is not banned but is a sensitive topic.
• Prizes and Prestige: Winning camels gain prestige and become more valuable for breeding or selling.
• Cloning Research: Research on cloning camels has been published, showing live births, but the local population is hesitant to discuss it.
• Ethical Concerns: Concerns exist about the transparency of commercial cloning companies, the success rate of cloning, and the treatment of clones with problems.
• Dr. Vany's Expertise: Dr. Vany was brought in for his expertise in creating cloned embryos.
• Cloning Challenges: Camels are not easy to clone, with pregnancy rates around 10-15% from transferred clone embryos.
• Gestation Period: Camels have a 13-month gestation period, and some pregnancies are lost.
• Seasonal Breeders: Camels are seasonal breeders with a short breeding season during winter months.
• Embryo Transfer Process: Embryos are loaded into an embryo transfer gun and deposited into the uterus of recipient camels.
• Pregnancy Monitoring: Every stage of the cycle is monitored, from embryo transplantation to pregnancy confirmation.
• Genetic Material vs. Performance: Clones have the same genetic material but may have different performance due to environmental factors.
• Personality: The personality of cloned camels may not be the same as the original.

2. Northern White Rhino Rescue Project

• Near Extinction: The Northern White Rhino is functionally extinct due to only two remaining females incapable of natural reproduction.
• Artificial Techniques: Artificial reproductive techniques are necessary for the species' survival.
• Southern White Rhino Contribution: Southern White Rhinos are used as surrogate mothers and for research to aid in saving the Northern White Rhino.
• Sasi Program: A complex program involving wild rhinos, requiring indication of when the female is ready for embryo transfer.
• Teaser Bull Concept: Sterilized bulls are used to detect heat in female rhinos and stimulate mating behavior without impregnation.
• Embryo Transfer Timing: Embryo transfer must occur precisely on day six after successful mating.
• Step-by-Step Approach: Every step is first tested with Southern White Rhinos before being applied to Northern White Rhinos.
• Proof of Concept: A proof of concept for embryo transfer was performed using Southern White Rhino embryos in a Southern White Rhino surrogate.
• Ultrasound Guidance: Ultrasound is used to target structures and avoid damaging blood vessels during embryo implantation.
• Losses and Setbacks: The project faced setbacks with the sudden deaths of the teaser bull and the surrogate female due to a bacterial infection caused by heavy rains.
• Disease Prevention: Measures were implemented to protect the remaining Northern White Rhinos from accessing contaminated areas.
• Pregnancy Confirmation: The surrogate female was found to be pregnant with a 6.5 cm fetus.
• Genetic Analysis: DNA analysis confirmed that the fetus was from the embryo transfer and not from the teaser bull.
• Concept Validation: The successful but ultimately unsuccessful pregnancy demonstrated that the entire concept of oocyte collection, in vitro fertilization, sperm injection, embryo freezing, thawing, and transfer works.
• Future Steps: The next step is to transfer a purebred Northern White Rhino embryo into a surrogate mother.
• Goal: The goal is to ensure that the Northern White Rhino is not just a museum story but a living reality.

3. De-extinction and Avian Challenges

• De-extinction Skepticism: Concerns are raised about the feasibility and timeline of de-extinction projects, citing the lack of progress with the passenger pigeon project.
• Cloning Limitations: 56 different types of animals have been cloned, but never birds.
• Avian Cloning Challenges: The structure of the bird egg, with its large, opaque yolk containing the DNA, makes it difficult to manipulate.
• Embryonic Stem Cells: Revive and Restore is working with Dr. Chi-Long Ying's lab, which has successfully created embryonic stem cells from species other than mice.
• Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): Dr. Ying's lab has created iPSCs from chickens, ducks, quail, and zebra finches.
• Band-Tailed Pigeon Cells: Cells from the band-tailed pigeon, the closest living relative of the passenger pigeon, are being used for reprogramming.
• Gene Editing: Gene edits would be made in iPSCs to recreate the passenger pigeon.
• Primordial Germ Cells: iPSCs would be coaxed into developing into primordial germ cells.
• Chimera Creation: Passenger pigeon germ cells would be injected into developing domestic pigeon embryos to create chimeras.
• Surrogate Breeding: The chimera birds would breed, and their offspring should be passenger pigeons.
• Value of De-extinction Technology: The value lies in developing technologies to combat present-day extinction and biodiversity loss.

4. Pleistocene Park and Ecosystem Restoration

• Ecosystem Stability: The current low-productivity Arctic ecosystem has been stable for at least 10,000 years.
• Rewilding Experiment: Pleistocene Park aims to restore the ecosystem to its original state by reintroducing large herbivores.
• Challenges: Early challenges included animals escaping due to lack of fencing.
• Working System: Establishing a functioning ecosystem with enough animals is necessary to demonstrate the project's effects.
• Proactive Interference: The project involves proactively interfering with nature to restore it to its original state.
• Animal Introductions: Musk oxen, camels, horses, and bison have been introduced to the park.
• Nutrient Cycling: The main goal is to accelerate nutrient cycling, which is slow in the Arctic due to cold temperatures.
• Animal Role: Animals act as "fermentation vats," breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil.
• Carbon Pump: Animals and grasses act as a carbon pump, accelerating the cycle of growth, consumption, and decomposition.
• Temperature Differences: Preliminary data shows temperature differences between grassland and forest areas.
• Scientific Validation: More data and multiple test sites are needed to validate the project's effectiveness.

5. Biorescue Program and Embryo Transfer Challenges

• Embryo Transfer Success: Clear evidence shows that embryo transfer is working with Southern White Rhino embryos.
• Northern White Rhino Attempt: The Biorescue team is attempting the first Northern White Rhino embryo transfer.
• Species Differences: The differences between Northern and Southern White Rhinos pose challenges, as it is like putting a donkey in a horse.
• Unpredictable Outcomes: The outcome of the embryo transfer is uncertain due to the species differences.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The video explores various approaches to species conservation and revival, including cloning, de-extinction, and ecosystem restoration. Camel cloning is driven by economic and cultural factors, while the Northern White Rhino project faces significant technical and logistical hurdles. De-extinction efforts are hampered by scientific limitations, particularly in avian species. Pleistocene Park aims to restore an Arctic ecosystem through rewilding, but requires further scientific validation. All these projects highlight the complex ethical, scientific, and practical challenges involved in intervening in natural processes to preserve or restore biodiversity.