'Dead End': Radical 20-Year Study Reveals Genetic Cloning Hits a Limit

Scientists in Japan have discovered a genetic 'dead end' in mammal cloning after two decades of research.

Cloning a female mouse in 2005 led to the production of over 1,200 mice across 58 generations.

However, by the 58th generation, the re-cloned mice accumulated so many genetic mutations that they died shortly after birth.

The study suggests that while clones can initially thrive, sexual reproduction is essential for the long-term survival of mammalian species.

This research, published in Nature Communications, highlights the evolutionary necessity of sexual reproduction to avoid mutational meltdown.