Endangered animals could be brought back from the brink of extinction by cloning.
Endangered animals could be saved by cloning
Scientists were able to clone mice using freeze-dried skin cells in a pioneering experiment.
The cells were initially killed by the freeze-drying but the experts were able to clone the embryos by injecting them into mouse eggs. 75 of the mice were cloned by the end of the experiment, raising hopes that the practice could help species that are at risk.
Researchers at the University of Yamanashi in Japan said: "Maintaining biodiversity is an essential task. Here, we show that freeze-dried somatic cells can produce healthy, fertile clones."
The success rate for healthy mouse pups in the study was between 0.2 per cent and 5.4 per cent but the experts are pleased despite the low numbers.