Study: Cloned adult cows healthy

Washington-Cloned cows that reach adulthood show no unusual signs of physical problems, according to a recent study published in the journal Science.

The study found that 24 cloned Holsteins remained alive and healthy one to four years after birth. Their immune systems were normal, puberty arrived at the expected age and two cloned cows gave birth to calves that appeared normal in all respects.

Six of the 30 cows evaluated died shortly after birth, slightly higher than the normal mortality rate for cows, but those that survived were both healthy and showed normal social interaction and behavior, according to the study.