AUSTIN, Texas(AP) Barrel racer Charmayne James knew scientists had figured out how to clone mice, sheep and cats. But if any creature deserved to be cloned, she thought it was her gelding Scamper, the retired 10-time world champion. The result, Clayton, has exceeded James' expectations. The foal even bristles, just like Scamper, when touched on a certain spot behind his ear.
"Scamper was one of the greatest horses ever, and I know that now more than ever," James said. "I wanted to get in and save his genetics, because if they were ever able to clone a horse, Scamper would be the horse to clone."
James paid an Austin-based ViaGen Inc. $150,000 to clone Scamper. After four failed attempts, Clayton was born Aug. 8. His birth had been kept secret until Wednesday.
Genetic material was extracted from a cell sample taken from Scamper, then transferred to an egg that had its own genetic material removed. An embryo was grown in an incubator before it was transferred to a mare.
The foal is almost identical to the older model, except for white markings between Clayton's eyes.
"He looks so much like Scamper, when I walked into the stall and looked at him, the hair on the back of my neck stood up," James said.
Scamper won a record 10 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world championships from 1984 to '93 and helped make James the first million-dollar cowgirl and the all-time leading money winner in barrel racing. Scamper is the only barrel racing horse in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
James, who lives in Athens, Texas, plans to breed Clayton to help "get better, sounder quality barrel horses out there." For now, she has no plans to race Clayton, saying he's to valuable to risk getting hurt.
By APRIL CASTRO - Associated Press Writer
AUSTIN, Texas(AP) Barrel racer Charmayne James knew scientists had figured out how to clone mice, sheep and cats. But if any creature deserved to be cloned, she thought it was her gelding Scamper, the retired 10-time world champion. The result, Clayton, has exceeded James' expectations. The foal even bristles, just like Scamper, when touched on a certain spot behind his ear.
"Scamper was one of the greatest horses ever, and I know that now more than ever," James said. "I wanted to get in and save his genetics, because if they were ever able to clone a horse, Scamper would be the horse to clone."
James paid an Austin-based ViaGen Inc. $150,000 to clone Scamper. After four failed attempts, Clayton was born Aug. 8. His birth had been kept secret until Wednesday.
Genetic material was extracted from a cell sample taken from Scamper, then transferred to an egg that had its own genetic material removed. An embryo was grown in an incubator before it was transferred to a mare.
The foal is almost identical to the older model, except for white markings between Clayton's eyes.
"He looks so much like Scamper, when I walked into the stall and looked at him, the hair on the back of my neck stood up," James said.
Scamper won a record 10 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world championships from 1984 to '93 and helped make James the first million-dollar cowgirl and the all-time leading money winner in barrel racing. Scamper is the only barrel racing horse in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
James, who lives in Athens, Texas, plans to breed Clayton to help "get better, sounder quality barrel horses out there." For now, she has no plans to race Clayton, saying he's to valuable to risk getting hurt.
You know, i love my horse to peices, he is a wonderfull special boy but i dont know if i would clone him, i would strive to save his life if it were in danger etc but cloneing i think would ruin him and his memory. i dunno i just think you should enjoy the time you have with your horse the REAL one. Though i understand that when cloneing is perfected it could be of use (money etc but its a scary thing)
You know, i love my horse to peices, he is a wonderfull special boy but i dont know if i would clone him, i would strive to save his life if it were in danger etc but cloneing i think would ruin him and his memory. i dunno i just think you should enjoy the time you have with your horse the REAL one. Though i understand that when cloneing is perfected it could be of use (money etc but its a scary thing)
if we all had the perfect horse all the time they wouldn't be so perfect .... scamper was one of the best if you clone him is well just be anther scamper with nothing special about him .....cause now we all can get one for the right price .....
if we all had the perfect horse all the time they wouldn't be so perfect .... scamper was one of the best if you clone him is well just be anther scamper with nothing special about him .....cause now we all can get one for the right price .....
thank heavens for artificial insemination and horsey banks. As soon as he is breeding age hopefully get some viable. A little can go a long way, even if he doesn't reach a ripe old age.
thank heavens for artificial insemination and horsey banks. As soon as he is breeding age hopefully get some viable. A little can go a long way, even if he doesn't reach a ripe old age.
I've read that, too, about the accelerated aging. If Clayton reproduces, will his offspring be young? I guess probably so or none of us would ever have kids younger than we are...At the risk of getting graphic, I guess the value of cloning in this case is in replacing those bits of Scamper that were lost when he was gelded...
I've read that, too, about the accelerated aging. If Clayton reproduces, will his offspring be young? I guess probably so or none of us would ever have kids younger than we are...At the risk of getting graphic, I guess the value of cloning in this case is in replacing those bits of Scamper that were lost when he was gelded...
I've read that, too, about the accelerated aging. If Clayton reproduces, will his offspring be young? I guess probably so or none of us would ever have kids younger than we are...At the risk of getting graphic, I guess the value of cloning in this case is in replacing those bits of Scamper that were lost when he was gelded...
I've read that, too, about the accelerated aging. If Clayton reproduces, will his offspring be young? I guess probably so or none of us would ever have kids younger than we are...At the risk of getting graphic, I guess the value of cloning in this case is in replacing those bits of Scamper that were lost when he was gelded...
Hi, Tairaterces. Yea, along with all the info to make the entire animal, our dna also contains our age. Let's cross our fingers for this lady and hope she gets at least a few good breedings out of Clayton. Scamper seems like a horse who's genes should be preserved and passed on.
Hi, Tairaterces. Yea, along with all the info to make the entire animal, our dna also contains our age. Let's cross our fingers for this lady and hope she gets at least a few good breedings out of Clayton. Scamper seems like a horse who's genes should be preserved and passed on.
Never thought about that sillyfilly. Is that how it really works. I din't know. This stuff is all French to me, lol. It say's that Scamper won his first world chanpionshin in '84, so saying he was a 3 year old when that happened even that would make him around 25 or so now.
Never thought about that sillyfilly. Is that how it really works. I din't know. This stuff is all French to me, lol. It say's that Scamper won his first world chanpionshin in '84, so saying he was a 3 year old when that happened even that would make him around 25 or so now.
I wonder if she knows that Clayton probably won't live as long as she might want. If Scamper is, say 20 yrs old, then Clayton is genetically 20yrs old also and will be prone to all the ailments common to a 20yr old horse like arthritis and Cushings even though he is just a foal. That is why clones do not have the lifespan of the original. If the goal is to get a few breedings out of a Scamper-like stallion, then she may be able to do that, but she won't have as many years to work with him as she may hope.
I wonder if she knows that Clayton probably won't live as long as she might want. If Scamper is, say 20 yrs old, then Clayton is genetically 20yrs old also and will be prone to all the ailments common to a 20yr old horse like arthritis and Cushings even though he is just a foal. That is why clones do not have the lifespan of the original. If the goal is to get a few breedings out of a Scamper-like stallion, then she may be able to do that, but she won't have as many years to work with him as she may hope.
