First Human Clone Born

Cloned Baby Birth Claim

A controversial company linked to a philosophical sect says that it has produced the world's first cloned human baby.

However, the announcement has been viewed with deep scepticism by the scientific community at large - and no proof has so far been put forward.

At a press conference, Clonaid claimed the birth of a healthy cloned baby girl, nicknamed Eve by scientists, who was born by Caesarian section yesterday to a 31-year-old US mother.

The location of the claimed birth has been kept secret.

The DNA to be cloned was taken from the mother's skin cell, Clonaid said.

The scientist leading Clonaid's efforts, Dr Brigitte Boisselier, said she was "celebrating a scientific success."

She said another clone baby was due in northern Europe next week, and three others shortly afterwards.

Two of the expected babies were, she said, copies of dead children made using preserved cells.

She said said five other implantation attempts had ended in miscarriage.

The company insists that independent scrutiny and DNA testing of mother and child would be allowed in "eight or nine days".

'No monster'

Dr Boisselier is former deputy director of research at the Air Liquid Group, a French producer of industrial and medical gasses.

She told a news conference:

"Science can be used for the best and the worst. I believe that this is the best.

"I hope that you remember them when you talk about this baby, not like a monster, not like some results of something that is disgusting. She is a very healthy baby."

Clonaid is linked to a sect called the Raelians, whose founder Claude Vorihon, describes himself as a prophet and calls himself Rael.

Dr Patrick Dixon, an expert on the ethics of human cloning, described the news as "totally inevitable".

He said: "There's a global race by maverick scientists to produce clones, motivated by fame, money and warped and twisted beliefs."

Race

The Raelians believe humans are the result of a genetic engineering project run by super intelligent extra-terrestrials.

Clonaid is viewed sceptically by most scientists who doubt their ability to clone a human.

Cattle, mice and sheep and some other animals have been cloned with mixed success.

But some animals have shown defects as they age - scientists fear the same could happen with humans.

Clonaid has been racing against the Italian fertility doctor Severino Antinori to produce the first cloned baby.

Antinori has claimed that one of his patient's will give birth to a cloned baby in January.

Antinori rubbished Clonaid's claims, saying they were "not substantiated on a scientific basis" and "only risks engendering confusion".

Proof

She said that the company would eventually allow independent scientists to check the baby's cells to verify that she was a true clone.

Dr. Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology, the Massachusetts company that last year produced the first reported cloned human embryo, said Clonaid had "no scientific credibility at this point."

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2608655.stm