Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: ET
Context: The National Dairy Research Institute ( est. 1956, under ICAR, based in Haryana’s Karnal) has produced the first-ever clone of a calf belonging to the indigenous Gir cow breed. The calf has been named Ganga.
Process:
Scientists used three animals for producing this calf: Oocyte was taken from the Sahiwal breed, a somatic cell from the Gir breed, and a surrogate animal was a crossbreed.
What is Reproductive cloning?
Reproductive cloning is a process by which an exact genetic replica, or clone, of an existing organism, is created through a type of cloning called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This involves removing the nucleus of an egg cell and replacing it with the nucleus of a somatic cell (a non-reproductive cell) from the organism to be cloned.
Other breeds of Cow: Sahiwal, Tharparkar, and Red Sindhi
Related news:
Policy on cattle dehorning & castration
Source: DTE
The Central Government has notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Animal Husbandry Practices and Procedures) Rules, 2023, which outlines the procedures for dehorning cattle and castration, branding or nose-roping of any animal.
- All procedures like castration and dehorning must be carried out with the involvement of a registered veterinary practitioner and the mandatory use of general and local anaesthetics.
- The rules also prescribe a methodology for euthanasia for ill animals to avoid a painful death.
Aim: The rules aim to prevent cruelty against animals and promote more humane animal husbandry practices.
