Cat Cloning and Other Technologies

by Sarah Hartwell

This article looks at several areas of what is known as 'reproduction technology' and how it could affect cat breeders and cat owners. These pros and cons will also apply to other pets. Reproduction technology includes cloning, artificial insemination, egg donation, embryo transfer and IVF. I have basic knowledge and understanding, but do not claim to be an expert in these fields. I have written this so that an owner or breeder with little or no prior knowledge can understand it. I have included general interest comments about some of the wider issues of cloning in species other than cats.

Definitions

Cloning is the creation of a genetically identical cat from a cell taken from a host (the genetic parent) and grown into a kitten inside a surrogate mother.
Artificial insemination using stored sperm is the gathering of sperm from an unneutered cat and the impregnation of a female cat using that sperm.
Egg donation is the harvesting of a freshly ovulated, unfertilized egg from one female; the egg is fertilized in vitro (i.e. "test tube fertilization") and implanted into a surrogate who cannot ovulate
Embryo transfer is the implantation of an embryo or fertilized egg (one which has already begun to divide ad grow) into a surrogate mother. The embryo (or the egg and the sperm used to make it) might have been kept stored in liquid nitrogen for a period of time before being implanted into the surrogate mother.
IVF is in vitro fertilization, often known as 'test tube fertilization'.
Ova means 'egg cells'.

A Few Basics

The following is greatly simplified and is based on information in Matt Ridley's excellent book "Genome" and has been adapted for cat owners. However, you can skip this section if you prefer. It is provided to give an understanding of cell division and why there are still problems with cloning technology.

The cells in a cat's body continually divide and replace themselves. Cells multiply during growth to make more tissue and skeleton as the kitten grows and matures. When the cat is full grown, cells continue to reproduce themselves. Cells wear out and die and are replaced by newer ones copied from the old cell. As the cat gets older, the cells are less efficient at making exact copies of themselves and mistakes creep in.