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Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Science
- Al Etihad
Cloning camels in UAE: How biotechnology safeguards heritage and strengthens food security
29 June 2025 23:48 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Camels, the ships of the desert, hold deep historical and cultural significance in the UAE — and preserving the finest of these animals for future generations has become a key mission for a leading biotechnology centre in the country. The Reproductive Biotechnology Centre in Dubai gained international acclaim in 2009, when it produced the world's first cloned camel, named "Injaz". Since then, numerous camels have been cloned, helping preserve the lineage of the most elite to Aletihad, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Wani, the centre's scientific director, explained the long-term impact of cloning these prized camels. 'By harvesting cells from an elite animal, even after death, we can preserve its genetics indefinitely. These cells are stored in our cell bank and can be used years later to recreate that exact animal,' he said. It's not just about replicating elite camels, Dr. Wani said, 'this technique could also support conservation efforts for endangered species, such as the Bactrian camel'.'We can use dromedaries as surrogate mothers to reproduce Bactrians or insert or delete genes to create genetically modified camels for specific traits,' he said. This technique could also help in the production of genetically modified camels either by insertion or by deletion of some genes in donor cells, Dr. Wani added. In a previous report, another expert highlighted the sentimental value that has been attached to cloning procedures. 'Owners often have a strong emotional bond with their camels, and cloning strengthens these bonds by keeping their beloved mounts close at hand,' Khalifa Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Advanced Scientific Group, said in a recent Aletihad report. The Perfect Desert CompanionsIn terms of genetics, camels are the most ideal desert companions, Dr. Wani said. 'Camels are unique animals that have adapted to survive in harsh agroclimatic conditions,' he said. 'They can thrive on food and water sources that other livestock cannot. Their phenotype — with specialised lips, long eyelashes, and padded feet — is perfectly suited to desert life.'Camels conserve water efficiently, produce concentrated urine, and have physiological traits that enable them to cope with extreme heat and dust storms, making them ideal livestock for arid climates like the conditions in the UAE, Dr. Wani said. 'Camels are fundamental to food security and sustainable agriculture in dry regions,' he emphasised. 'They provide milk, meat, wool, leather, and transport, especially in the UAE's desert ecosystem.'Dr. Wani also noted the growing economic impact of camel racing, milk production, and beauty contests, which have become multimillion-dollar industries. 'Camels are part of the UAE's cultural heritage, but they are also a reliable, climate-resilient resource for future food systems,' he added. Like any species, however, camels vary genetically. Some possess the DNA of champion racers, while others stand out in beauty contests. Certain camels produce higher volumes of milk, making them highly prized in the dairy industry. Cloning Techniques At the Reproductive Biotechnology Centre, advanced techniques such as Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT), commonly known as cloning, and Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET) are employed to enhance camel production.'With MOET, we can obtain multiple offspring from elite females in one breeding season. Embryos are flushed from a donor and transferred to synchronised surrogate camels,' Dr. Wani explained. 'In SCNT, we use a donor camel's cells, often stored in our cell bank, to produce embryos in the lab. These embryos are then transferred to surrogate mothers. The resulting calves are exact genetic copies of the donor, whether it is a racing male, beauty queen, or high-producing dairy female.'The centre also offers in vitro embryo production, gene banking, natural selection breeding, and the continuous treatment of infertile camels using ultrasound-guided monitoring and hormone therapies. 'Even animals that cannot breed naturally due to injury or age can still produce offspring,' Dr. Wani said. Looking ahead, the expert sees camel science evolving and making more meaningful impact across sectors. 'Selective breeding and assisted reproductive technologies should focus on producing disease-resistant camels and multiplying genetically superior animals to improve the economics for farmers,' Dr. Wani said.
Al Etihad
22-06-2025
- Science
- Al Etihad
From breeding to cloning: UAE centres on a mission to preserve elite camels and safeguard cultural heritage
22 June 2025 22:12 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)With camels regarded as a key part of the UAE's cultural and natural heritage, specialised centres and organisations have made concerted efforts to conserve these 'ships of the desert' and ensure they continue to shine — from racing to serving communities — for future generations. On World Camel Day, marked annually on June 22, Aletihad looked into remarkable initiatives dedicated to this well-loved desert animal. Advanced Scientific Group (ASG), one of the oldest institutions specialising in camel research, has been making an impact worldwide since 1989."The group is considered the primary centre and global reference for everything related to infertility, reproduction, cloning, genetic analysis, and genomics in camels,' Khalifa Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Advanced Scientific Group, told work has been a trusted source of information when it comes to camel diseases, infertility treatment, and reproduction. Years of research has yielded crucial innovation, with many of these technologies now used in preserving distinctive camel breeds. Genetic testing has enhanced breeding programmes, Al Nuami said. "Genetic analysis creates a roadmap for production, as we match and combine the best breeds available in the Gulf region, helping us achieve our goal in the shortest possible time, especially in camel racing or milk production. However, our primary focus is currently on camel racing,' he told Aletihad. A purebred camel mother can also be spared the risks of childbirth through embryo transfer, with incubators then taking over delivery and rearing—thereby helping to preserve specific breeds, he camels from rare and valuable lineages can be cloned, too, to ensure their survival, Al Nuami said. 'Some stallions have been cloned despite having died more than 20 years ago,' he said. "Cloning has played a major role in preserving extinct breeds. Cells can also be preserved and cloned when needed, and even multiplied if they possess distinct traits."For camel owners, cloning comes with sentimental value. "Owners often have a strong emotional bond with their camels, and cloning strengthens these bonds by keeping their beloved mounts close at hand,' Al Nuami Smart Camel Center (ESCC), based in Umm Al Quwain, is also committed to advancing camel racing and protecting purebred camels through modern techniques and advanced veterinary care.'The centre integrates rich Emirati heritage with modern technologies and methodologies,' said Dr. Mahmoud Moussa, Head of the Veterinary Department at the ESCC, in an interview with Aletihad. 'We preserve the cultural value of camels while improving performance through scientific studies, biotechnology, and eco-friendly operations powered by solar energy—all in line with the UAE's Green Vision.' Supporting Camel Owners The centre houses top camel breeds, famed for their racetrack strength and stamina.'Through embryo transfer, we can produce up to 10 offspring from a single camel in one season — each with a different father. This enhances genetic traits while preventing inbreeding, which could compromise the health of future generations,' he said. The hub provides all necessary medical services to camel owners using state-of-the-art medical equipment and highly qualified staff. Health advice, care tips, and advanced breeding support are also offered. 'We help owners choose the best males and females from rare breeds to ensure strong future generations. We also maintain some of the top male camels with purebred, high-genetic value to preserve biodiversity and breed integrity,' Dr. Moussa said. Beyond caring for camels, both ASG and ESCC have made it their mission to engage younger generations and keep the interest in these iconic animals alive. '(The ESCC) works annually with UAE University and the Higher Colleges of Technology in Sharjah to train undergraduate students, giving them hands-on experience and knowledge of the latest biotechnologies to improve breeding and maintain breed purity,' Dr. Moussa also collaborates with universities, whether in the fields of reproduction, diseases, or even new medicines and vaccinations. 'We have a training partnership with the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain, where our students receive ongoing training, in addition to our cooperation with hospitals and relevant official authorities in the country,' Al Nuaimi said.
