By A. Vila
Jun 17, 2016 02:00 AM EDT
In a quest to halt mammalian
extinction, scientists are using stem cells and assisted reproduction
technology. But with only three northern white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum
cottoni) left, can science save them from completely vanishing?
Sudan, Najin and Fatu--who are
kept at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya--cannot breed naturally because they are
related. It is with this situation that scientists came up with an audacious
plan to save them from the brink of extinction.
According to EcoWatch.com, the process, which will commence in few
months, will include making stem cells out of adult rhino skin cells through a
process called iPS, or induced pluripotent stem cells.
The pluripotent cells, as
mentioned in the article, will allow for the development of genetic diversity
within the species, allowing them to reproduce.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) will
then be used to create embryos. These will then be placed in a surrogate female
northern white rhino.
The rest of the process will
include hoping that it will work and the experiment will revitalize the
population.
The procedure will be the first of its kind.
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