Chinese scientists created the world's first identical long tailed macaque clones using somatic cell nuclear transfer. What are the names given to these two cloned monkeys?

Introduction / Context:
Advances in cloning technology have been major milestones in modern biology. After the cloning of Dolly the sheep, scientists continued to experiment with cloning techniques in other mammals. In a widely reported breakthrough, Chinese researchers successfully cloned long tailed macaques using somatic cell nuclear transfer, producing two identical monkeys. General knowledge and current affairs questions often ask for the names of these cloned animals because they symbolise an important step in cloning primates.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The cloning involved long tailed macaques.
• The question refers to the first identical monkey clones produced using somatic cell nuclear transfer.
• Several pairs of names are listed as options, one of which is correct.
• We assume familiarity with the news reports about this cloning achievement.

Concept / Approach:
The two identical cloned monkeys were named Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua. These names were chosen from a phrase that represents the Chinese people. They were created using the same technique that produced Dolly the sheep, but this time applied to a non human primate. The achievement raised scientific and ethical discussions worldwide. To answer the question, we must recognise the specific name pair Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua among the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall media and scientific reports about the first cloned monkeys produced in China. Step 2: Note that the species cloned was the long tailed macaque. Step 3: Remember that the names of the cloned monkeys were Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua. Step 4: Compare this memory with the options provided in the question. Step 5: Choose option B, Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua, as it exactly matches the known names.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, we can think about the meaning behind the names. Zhong and Hua come from words associated with the Chinese nation, reinforcing the symbolic importance of the experiment. No other name pairs like Long Hong and Zhua Zhua or Rongla and Shamone are found in reputable reports about the cloning of macaques. Therefore, Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua is the only pair that correctly matches the famous cloning event.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Long Hong and Zhua Zhua are not the names reported in scientific and news articles about the cloned long tailed macaques. Option C: Tailong and Shanua do not correspond to the documented names of the cloned monkeys. Option D: Rongla and Shamone are fictitious in this context and are not associated with the cloning experiment. Option E: Yuan Yuan and Meng Meng are not the names of these particular clones, although similar sounding names may be used for other animals in different contexts.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse different animal cloning experiments or assume that any Chinese sounding pair of names might be correct. Another common pitfall is not distinguishing between general panda or zoo animal names and the specific names of the cloned long tailed macaques. To avoid such confusion, it is helpful to memorise the names Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua together with the fact that they are cloned monkeys produced using somatic cell nuclear transfer in China.

Final Answer:
The two identical long tailed macaques cloned by Chinese scientists were named Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua.