Camel cloning has been taking place for many years. It was in 2009, in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), that the first female was born through somatic cell nuclear transfer. This was Injaz (which means achievement in Arabic), who was born healthy after 378 days of gestation and with the same DNA as the donor animal.
This remarkable result changed the paradigm for camel enthusiasts. This new opportunity to preserve the genes of elite camels ensures strong performance in racing, milk production and beauty contests.
Injaz lived a completely happy life and naturally gave birth to three calves, confirming that cloning is viable and safe for animals. She passed away in 2020 during her fourth pregnancy. This fact confirms that a clone, in addition to being fully fertile, can also suffer complications just like any other camel.
Although it is in the Gulf countries where there is the greatest interest in camels and their cloning, this makes sense for different reasons.
Motivations for Cloning Camels
Given that the genetic load is 99.99% identical to that of the predecessor, cloning elite camels carries a special motivation and interest. Below, we will explain some of the applications of this scientific advancement.
Elite Camels for Racing
Camel racing is a deeply rooted tradition in the Gulf countries. In addition, it is an industry that moves millions, which increases the audience and the desire to obtain the best camel in the world.
Thanks to the possibility of genetic replication of a champion racing camel, creating an exact copy (speed and stamina, among other factors) ensures a greater chance of success and achieving top positions in the championship. This has considerable value among competitors, as the winner’s prize can exceed three million US dollars.
Therefore, replicating the lineage of racing champions offers an ideal opportunity to get closer to victory.
Camels for Beauty Contests
In Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait, camel beauty contests are common and attract a significant audience. These contests offer a substantial prize to the owner of the most beautiful and highest-rated camel.
This is where cloning plays a fundamental role, as it allows wealthier clients to replace their ideal camel with another that is genetically identical. In this way, any champion camel that has reached a certain age or even passed away can be replaced by its younger and more beautiful copy.
In Saudi Arabia, it is acknowledged that this practice is highly effective and well regarded among the public and participants. Quite the opposite of surgeries and the use of botox, which can result in penalties of up to 30,000 US dollars.
Therefore, with the cloning of camels competing in beauty contests, fraud is avoided and equal conditions among the competing camels are promoted.
Conservation and Scientific Research
As with other animals, one of the objectives of cloning is to ‘eliminate’ the concept of ‘endangered animals’. Preserving and safeguarding the genetic and cultural heritage of camels has made it possible to save the wild Bactrian species, a two-humped species that was critically endangered.
After the successful cloning of this species in 2017, the risk of extinction has decreased or disappeared, since the preservation of its genetic line in liquid nitrogen offers the opportunity to replicate it at any time.
In short, cloning camels is a widely accepted and normalised practice in Gulf countries. This replication of high-value camels has different motivations. It may be economic (camel racing or beauty contests) or for preserving the genetic and cultural heritage of an animal with a special significance in Arab countries.