Half-cloned mice, made in China

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Chinese researchers have successfully created artificial mouse sperm, when implanted in an egg, grow into healthy mice.  By modifying two of the genes in the sperm, they were able to get success up to 20 percent. Researchers make artificial sperm by removing the nucleus of an egg and replacing it with one set of DNA from the father. Artificial sperm don’t have tails but since they can control half of the genes in the embryo they can develop new treatments for genetic conditions or cancer. Man-made sperm cells can be used to generate mice with ease and efficiency. These half-cloned mice can help develop cures to battle against cancer and other genetic health issues.

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