China clones gene-edited monkeys for sleep disorder research
Chinese scientists have made clones of a gene-edited macaque to aid research of circadian rhythm disorders that are linked to sleep problems, depression and Alzheimer's disease, the official Xinhua news agency said on Thursday.
- Life
- Published Date: 05:53 | 24 January 2019
- Modified Date: 05:55 | 24 January 2019
It was the first time multiple clones had been made from a gene-edited monkey for biomedical research, the agency said. The clones were born at the Institute of Neuroscience at the China Academy of Sciences in Shanghai.
A gene-edited monkey most prone to the disorder was selected as a donor, and its fibroblasts were used to make five cloned monkeys, Xinhua said, citing National Science Review, a Chinese journal.
The official China Daily said the clones would pave the way for more research into such problems in humans, which have become a major mental health concern.
The cloned monkeys already show signs of "negative behaviour", including sleep disorders, as well as elevated levels of anxiety and "schizophrenia-like behaviours", the paper added.
Xinhua said the programme, supervised by the institute's ethics panel, was in line with international ethical standards for animal research.