Dolly the Sheep
Dolly the Sheep was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell and gained worldwide fame.
Research Subject
July 5, 1996
Cancer
February 14, 2003
6
Edinburgh, Scotland
Dolly the Sheep gained worldwide fame as the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell using nuclear transfer. Born on July 5, 1996, at the Roslin Institute in Scotland, her creation sparked a media frenzy and prompted discussions on the ethics of cloning. Although her primary accomplishment was being the first cloned mammal, Dolly did not have any other notable achievements.
Named after country singer Dolly Parton due to the mammary cells used in her creation, the name was chosen for its catchy nature and ability to draw public attention. Dolly’s creation involved three mothers: one provided the egg, another the DNA, and a third carried the cloned embryo to term. This was necessary because direct modification of an egg cell with DNA was not yet possible at the time.
Since Dolly’s birth, there have been significant advancements in stem cell research, leading to the successful cloning of numerous animals, including pets. Despite this progress, Dolly remains an iconic figure in the history of cloning, symbolizing both the breakthrough and the ethical debates surrounding this scientific achievement.
