China to build world’s biggest animal cloning factory in Tianjin
Commercial operation to produce dogs, cattle, racehorses and ‘non-human primates’
Tianjin is building the world's largest animal cloning factory, aiming to produce one million cattle embryos annually, state media reported yesterday.
According to a Xinhua, mainland scientists have signed a deal to establish a 200 million yuan (HK$242 million) commercial animal cloning centre in the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area, a government-sponsored business development park.
Its main building was already under construction and due to be completed by June next year, the report said. Among the animals it will clone are sniffer and pet dogs, high-grade beef cattle, racehorses and "non-human primates". These animals will be used for commercial services and improving breeds.
The project could rapidly improve the quality of livestock and bring the controversial science one step closer to mainstream acceptance, Xinhua reported.
Sinica, a subsidiary of Wuxi -based Boyalife Group which focuses on stem cell and regenerative medicine research, signed the agreement with TEDA on Friday.
The centre will be jointly built by Sinica, Peking University's Institute of Molecular Medicine, the Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine and South Korea's Sooam Biotech Research Foundation.