Iranian Scientists Clone Goat

(AP)  Iranian scientists have cloned a goat and plan future experiments they hope will lead to a treatment for stroke patients, the leader of the research said Wednesday.

The female goat, named Hana, was born early Wednesday in the city of Isfahan in central Iran, said Dr. Mohammed Hossein Nasr e Isfahani, head of the Royan Research Institute.

"With the birth of Hana, Iran is among five countries in the world cloning a baby goat," said Isfahani, an embryologist.

In 2006 Iran became the first country in the Middle East to announce it had cloned a sheep. Two and a half years later, that animal is healthy, the institute said.

The effort is part of Iran's quest to become a regional powerhouse in advanced science and technology by 2025. In particular, Iran is striving for achievements in medicine and in aerospace and nuclear technology.

Iran's nuclear work has led to an international showdown over Western claims that it wants to develop atomic weapons. Iran says its nuclear activity is aimed at generating electricity, not the bomb.

The cloning of sheep and other animals could lead to advances in medical research, including using cloned animals to produce human antibodies against diseases, Isfahani said.

He said his institute's main aim in cloning the goat is to produce medicine to be used to treat people who have had strokes.

Iran's cloning program has won backing from Shiite Muslim religious leaders, who have issued decrees authorizing animal cloning but banning human reproductive cloning. A majority of Iran's nearly 70 million people are Shiite Muslims.

[Expat type]

They now have the Islamic world by the testicles as they can supply the almost perfect Muslim wife....Just as soon as they solve how to get them born with veils the Saudis will initiate a second Hajj to Iran to get their wives.
This should upgrade the bloodline after 2000 years of inbreeding with the local goats.

[theOriginalGatekeeper]

So, this means the wedding day will be soon?

[babooph]

Makes a lot more sense than cloning Bush.

[ToolMangler1]

Iran is a nation that will explode from within, To create life is to claim equality with God/Allah. The Mullahs will not allow this, There will be a schism that divides the country into three or four groups. This could lead to a use of Nukes if Iran has them.

Comments? Denial?

[cyinzl8r]

This is too easy! I cant even write about iran having more goats

[rf35]

Why is Dr. Mohammed Hossein Nasr e Isfahani so interested in goats and sheep?

[Hyptnotized_Liberals]

Iranian Scientists Clone Goat

-So they cloned another AhmadeniNUTjob?

[rational_1]

Are they preparing for a time when the virgins in Heaven run out? "Don't worry Ahmed, the 72 virgins in Heaven thing isn't working out anymore, but there are plenty of goats for you to frolic with while we get your 'special' vest ready for you." These Iranians are nothing if not practical.

[inketolstoy]

"With the birth of Hana, Iran is among five countries in the world cloning a baby goat,"

Thank you, CBS. Every once in a while, you make me smile.

[JackGarvey]

Am I right in thinking that the goal in cloning is to create a supply of healthy parts to replace damaged parts ? Iran is more holistic than to just limiting its advances to the creation of nuclear bombs. Mr. Ahmadinejad is a smart person, and must be told that.