CLONES 30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne, Switzerland
CLONING & PROGENY
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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ETHICS AND CLONING
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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FEI POSITION Ordinary General Assembly, Estoril 2007 “The competitive equestrian couple of horse and rider are both acknowledged as athletes by the FEI. The cloning of either with a view to competing at international level would be unacceptable to the FEI. The FEI opposes cloning for it goes against one of FEI’s basic objectives: to enable FEI athletes “to compete in international events under fair and even conditions.” 30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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CLONING WORLDWIDE Conservative estimate in 2010 >110 Riding and breeding Genetic preservation - Castrated males - Reproductive problems - Deceased (injury, disease) Stud book Registration Cryozootech, FRA 30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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WHAT IS CLONING? A genetic copy of a donor/ model animal •Harvesting of individual’s cells •Sourcing of donor egg/s from donor mare •Removal of genetic material from donor egg, before injecting model’s DNA into egg •Activation and implantation of recombined egg to recipient mare for normal gestation and birth 30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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ETHICS One Side
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
The Other Side
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GENETICS ORIGINAL
? Improvement OR
COPY 98% Identical
? Restriction
CLONING
DONOR OOCYTE Original and clone Sperm is the same 30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
Oocyte of cloned mare is not the same 8
REGULATING & TESTING
How to identify clones/ progeny?
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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STUD BOOKS Association
Register Clones
Recorded in passport
Recorded in stud database
World Breeding Federation of Sports Horses (WBFSH)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Continental Studbook, USA
Yes
Sport Horse Breeding Association of GB
Yes
No
Yes
Danish Warmblood
Yes
Yes
Yes
Holsteiner Verbands
Yes
Yes
Yes
France (FRA) – general policy
No
N/A
N/A
Belgium Warmblood
Yes
Yes
Yes
Pure Bred Arab
No
N/A
N/A
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUES Natural method
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
Assisted
Cloning
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EQUINE BREEDING Natural method
Assisted
Cloning
Other Assisted Reproductive techniques
WASTAGE TIME COST
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
> WASTAGE > TIME COST
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WELFARE Wastage Consequences ?????
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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PERFORMANCE COPY 98% Identical
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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FAIR PLAY
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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HORSE – RIDER RELATIONSHIP
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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ETHICS OF CLONES IN SPORT Clones ? ID – DNA, Passports
Another Selective Breeding technique, cost & time similar
Promote (genetic) excellence
No Clones Individuality of Horse
Risk of damaging Natural Progression gene pool
Genetic Preservation
??? Welfare, losses...
? Performance Effect Natural Progression (mitochondria)
Welfare ‘Myths’
98% Copy
Genetic Restriction
Perception/ Image of Sport
Improved gene pool
Business Investment
Risk to ‘traditional’ Breeding Industry
? ID – DNA, Passports
Other Reproductive techniques, e.g. Twin Embryos
Clones Exist
Elitism: Costs & time
Horse – Rider Relationship
Natural Progression
Environmental Influences, Equitation
Fair Play
Welfare – unknown consequence
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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PROGENY IN SPORT • Not Clones • “Natural” / accepted breeding techniques • Normal random recombination of genes • No potential to effect fair play
OR • Are there innate concerns regarding the welfare of cloning?
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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CLONES & PROGENY • Technology developed • Clones exist • Horses with Passports • Registered
? VIEWS - Clones - Progeny
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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EQUINE CLONING PERSPECTIVES • FEI Position • Worldwide • Technique • Genetics • Identification • Breeding and Sports Regulators • Reproduction • Welfare • Fair play • Performance • Horse –rider relationship • Discussion 30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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DISCUSSION
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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CLONING
THANK
YOU
30 April - 2 May 2012, Lausanne (SUI) / FEI Sports Forum
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