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On this day in 1997, a sheep named Dolly captured international attention when researchers announced they’d successfully cloned her from an adult ewe’s cell. These scientists’ success was the culmination of decades of work by many researchers, raising plenty of new questions, both scientific and ethical.
Colorado State University’s George Seidel explains some of the basics of cloning, particularly its applications in livestock, and reminds us that even genetically identical animals express different characteristics depending on their developmental environment and more. Michigan State University’s José Cibelli describes the mysterious relationship between cloning and aging – how can we reset the clock so a cloned animal’s chronological age will match its biological one?
And as President Trump makes the case for curbing immigration to protect the U.S. from Islamist terrorism, five terrorism experts use data to tell a cautionary tale about another major threat to life in the U.S. – far-right extremism.
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Well hello, Dolly.
Photo courtesy of The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh.
George Seidel, Colorado State University
In 1997, scientists announced they'd created a healthy sheep cloned from another ewe's mammary gland cell. Two decades on, the technique is being refined and applied to new challenges.
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Politics + Society
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William Parkin, Seattle University; Brent Klein, Michigan State University; Jeff Gruenewald, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis; Joshua D. Freilich, City University of New York; Steven Chermak, Michigan State University
Data on violent incidents in the US reveal that our focus on Islamist extremism since 9/11 may be misguided.
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Morgan Currie, University of California, Los Angeles; Britt S. Paris, University of California, Los Angeles
Activists today are racing to save climate records from the Trump administration. Secret archives were a powerful way to fight hostile political climates throughout history – from the Nazis to the Islamic State.
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Science + Technology
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José Cibelli, Michigan State University
It took years of attempts before scientists were able to clone a mammal from an adult cell. And with that success came plenty more questions.
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Environment + Energy
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Rebecca J. Romsdahl, University of North Dakota
With little action at the national level on climate change, state and city officials are taking the lead – but by emphasizing local benefits.
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Economy + Business
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Raymond Hogler, Colorado State University
The purpose of the Labor Department is to advocate on behalf of workers. As such, it deserves a qualified leader of competence and commitment.
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Rest of the World
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United Kingdom
Rodrigo Ledesma-Aguilar, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Scientists theorised, disproved, revamped and finally created a bizarre new form of matter in just five years. Australia
Clive Phillips, The University of Queensland and Matti Wilks, The University of Queensland
We might be able to grow artificial meat but are people really prepared to eat such produce over meat from farmed animals? Africa
Cristiano D'Orsi, University of Johannesburg
A Kenyan court has ruled that the government's closure of Dadaab refugee camp is unconstitutional. This will affect the future of the refugees currently in the camp.
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