For the first time ever, a cloned rhesus monkey reached adulthood.

Monkey Dupe

The Story

For the first time ever, a cloned rhesus monkey reached adulthood.

And clones usually live how long…?

Another rhesus monkey cloned in 2022 reportedly lived less than 12 hours. Here's how the animal cloning process typically works: Scientists take a nucleus from a cell of the original animal’s body, stick it into an egg cell, grow it et voilà: animal dupe. But the vast majority of cloning efforts fail, with many embryos developing birth defects or not making it. This time, Shanghai-based researchers switched up the process so the clone could develop a healthier placenta. Researchers think this could have helped reduce birth defects.

And that helped this rhesus monkey?

It may have. ReTro, short for "trophoblast replacement," surpassed the age of 2 (adulthood for rhesus monkeys, apparently) and is still going strong, according to the study. In case you need a reminder, here’s a walk down memory lane or ‘Where Are They Now: Clones Edition’:

• Dolly the Sheep: In 1996, Dolly became the first successfully cloned mammal. She even went on to become a mother herself (a big deal since many didn’t know if cloned animals could reproduce). In 2003, she was euthanized after developing a lung condition.

• Millie, Christa, Carrel, Dotcom, and Alexis: Five piglets cloned in 2000 (special shoutout to whoever named Dotcom). Four of the piglets survived past six months, with three dying of heart failure. Still, many saw this as a step toward getting organs to humans in need of things like heart transplants (which researchers are still working on).

• Copy Cat: In 2001, scientists at Texas A&M University cloned the first cat, naming her CC for Copy Cat. She lived to the age of 18 and died after being diagnosed with kidney failure. Still, she lived a relatively normal cat life and had three kittens of her own.

• Snuppy: The first doggo to be cloned, in 2005. Since then, the market for cloned dogs has grown, with hundreds of cloned dogs now walking amongst us (if you walk amongst the wealthy). Some apparently have different personalities than the OG pooch.

Why are people cloning rhesus monkeys again?

Medical research. Monkeys are biologically similar to humans, which is why ReTro doing well is a big deal. Researchers in China reportedly say that it could help with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research down the road. Still, one critic reportedly said cloning animals drains resources, with ReTro being the one successful clone out of 484 attempts involving seven surrogate monkeys. Some have also raised concerns about animal welfare and whether this could pave a path toward human cloning. This is in addition to all the regular ethical concerns over animal testing.

theSkimm

The rhesus monkey may not be the flashiest of animals to have been cloned — but primates are the closest relative to humans. Now the question is: how close to humans is too close for comfort?

What people are paying attention to…

Iran. Yesterday, Pakistan said Iran carried out an “unprovoked violation” of its airspace when it targeted a militant group with missiles and drones. Pakistan said the strikes killed two children. Earlier this week, Iran also launched attacks in Iraq and Syria — raising concerns of a wider conflict in the Middle East. Iran fired missiles at Iraq’s Kurdistan region, saying it was targeting Israeli “espionage headquarters” near a US Consulate. The Kurdish government said at least four people died. All of this comes amid the Israel-Hamas war and as the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen target commercial ships in the Red Sea.

...Oh and Qatar and France worked out a deal to bring medicine to Israeli hostages and civilians in Gaza.

Who people are talking about...

The suspect in the Gilgo Beach murders. Yesterday, authorities charged Rex Heuermann with a fourth murder as he awaits trial. In 2010, authorities discovered the bodies of four women not far from Gilgo Beach, New York. The women, dubbed the “Gilgo Four,” were known sex workers. Their cases went unsolved for more than a decade, inspiring a film and Netflix documentary. In July, authorities had a break in the case, arresting and charging Heuermann with three counts of murder. Now, after using DNA from an energy drink his daughter threw out, police have accused Heuermann of killing 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes — the fourth woman in the Gilgo Four. Heuermann pleaded not guilty to all charges.

What's on a roll...

Gene editing therapy. Yesterday, the FDA cleared Casgevy, a CRISPR gene editing therapy, to treat beta thalassemia. The rare blood disorder affects the body’s production of hemoglobin, which is needed to carry oxygen. It’s typically treated with blood transfusions, which can be taxing on patients. Now, the FDA is giving people another alternative with Casgevy — which was first approved last month for sickle cell disease. The gene therapy’s expected to be available for both blood disorders early this year.

What could be feeling like its wings got clipped…

JetBlue. Yesterday, a federal judge struck down the airline’s $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines. The Justice Department argued the merger would throw travelers under the bus by removing the pressure on other airlines to keep their prices low and reduce competition. The ruling didn’t sit well with some investors. Spirit’s shares dropped by about 47%, while JetBlue’s went up by 5%.

Who could be ready to hang up his jersey…

Jason Kelce.

What’s not feeling so Uniq...

Uniqlo.

What dropped some big names…

Coachella.

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