Milestone in cloning In which year was Dolly, the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell, actually born?
Biotechnology
Animal Breeding and Transgenic Animal
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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A1995
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B1997
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C1996
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D1998
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E2000
Answer
Correct Answer: 1996
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Dolly the sheep is a landmark in biotechnology, demonstrating that a differentiated adult nucleus could be reprogrammed to totipotency via somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The public announcement and publication occurred after the birth.
- We need the actual birth year, not announcement year.
Concept / Approach:Differentiate between the date of birth and the date of public disclosure. Dolly was born in mid-1996 and announced in 1997 after verification and peer review.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Recall SCNT steps: enucleate oocyte, insert donor nucleus, activate embryo, transfer to surrogate.Link to timeline: birth in 1996; Nature paper and media in 1997.Verification / Alternative check:Historical records from the Roslin Institute note Dolly’s birth on 5 July 1996.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- 1997: announcement year, not birth.
- 1995, 1998, 2000: do not match documented chronology.
Common Pitfalls:Confusing publication year with the actual event date, common in science history questions.
Final Answer:1996