15 Things Scientists Have Cloned (and Why)

Home General 15 Things Scientists Have Cloned (and Why)

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By Shannon Quinn - July 7, 2025

Cloning has long fascinated both scientists and the public, sparking debates about ethics, identity, and the future of life itself. At its core, cloning is the creation of genetically identical copies—sometimes of entire organisms, sometimes of specific cells. While Dolly the sheep made headlines as the first cloned mammal, the achievements in laboratories worldwide go far beyond one famous sheep. From endangered animals to human cells, cloning holds immense scientific significance. It offers breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, and conservation, while also raising profound questions about what we can, and should, replicate.

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1. Sheep (Dolly the Sheep)

15 Things Scientists Have Cloned (and Why) — Dolly the sheep, the world’s first cloned mammal, stands in a grassy field alongside other curious sheep. | Photo by kailash kumar on Pexels

In 1996, Dolly the sheep made history as the first mammal cloned from an adult cell. Her arrival at the Roslin Institute was a stunning leap for genetics, showing that specialized cells could be “reprogrammed” to create a new organism. Dolly’s birth not only revolutionized animal cloning but also ignited global debates about the potential for cloning humans. For a deeper look at Dolly’s legacy, you can learn more about Dolly.

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2. Cows

Cloning has transformed the cattle industry by allowing farmers to reproduce cows with exceptional genetics. Through cloning, desirable traits such as higher milk yield, disease resistance, and superior meat quality can be reliably passed down, ensuring more consistent and productive herds. Additionally, some cloned cows are engineered to produce pharmaceutical proteins in their milk, opening new doors for medicine. To discover more about the impact of cloned cattle, read more at ScienceDaily.

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3. Cats

The world met its first cloned cat, CC (Copy Cat), in 2001, marking a milestone in pet cloning and genetics. Since then, several companies now offer cat cloning services, appealing to owners who wish to preserve the unique genetics of a cherished feline companion. However, while the cloned cat’s appearance matches the original, personalities and behaviors may not be identical. For more on CC’s story and the science behind feline cloning, read more from Smithsonian Magazine.

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4. Dogs

Cloning dogs presents unique scientific challenges, given their complex reproductive cycles. Nevertheless, in 2005, the first cloned dog, Snuppy, was successfully born in South Korea, opening new possibilities for canine science. Today, dog cloning is available for both pet lovers and specialized working dogs, such as those serving in police or search-and-rescue roles. These advances offer hope for replicating prized genetics, though each cloned dog’s personality remains unique. Read more at BBC News.

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5. Horses

Horse cloning has gained traction in the world of elite equestrian sports, where champion horses are genetically duplicated to preserve and extend winning bloodlines. This technology enables breeders and owners to multiply the genetics of exceptional animals, ensuring their legacy continues on the racetrack or polo field. While the practice remains controversial in some circles, it’s reshaping the future of competitive breeding. To explore the world of cloned equestrian champions, read more from The Guardian.

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6. Monkeys

In 2018, Chinese researchers achieved a scientific milestone by cloning two macaque monkeys, marking the first successful cloning of primates using the same technique as Dolly the sheep. This accomplishment is especially significant because monkeys share close genetic ties with humans, making them valuable for studying diseases and developing new treatments. The ability to create genetically identical primates opens new paths for medical research, though it also heightens ethical debates. Read more at Nature.

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7. Mice

Mice are among the most frequently cloned animals in scientific research. Their genetic makeup and rapid breeding cycles make them ideal models for studying human diseases and testing new treatments.
By working with cloned mice, researchers can control genetic variables and analyze the effects of specific genes, disease progression, and drug responses more accurately. This controlled environment accelerates breakthroughs in medicine and genetics. For more details on the importance of cloned mice, learn more at NIH.

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8. Pigs

Cloning pigs has become a cornerstone in both agriculture and cutting-edge medical research. Genetically modified, cloned pigs are of particular interest for xenotransplantation, the potential to use pig organs for human transplants. Scientists hope that cloned pig organs could one day help address the global shortage of human organ donors. In agriculture, cloning also allows the propagation of pigs with desirable traits for meat production. Read more at National Geographic.

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9. Goats

Cloning goats has opened new frontiers in biotechnology, particularly through a process called pharming. Scientists have successfully engineered cloned goats to produce therapeutic proteins and even human antibodies in their milk. This approach allows for large-scale, cost-effective pharmaceutical production, potentially transforming how we manufacture lifesaving drugs. The technology not only benefits the pharmaceutical industry but also holds promise for addressing rare diseases and improving global health. More at Scientific American.

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10. Frogs

The cloning of frogs in the 1950s marked a historic first for animal cloning. Researchers succeeded in creating genetic copies by transplanting nuclei from adult frog cells, proving that complex animals could be cloned. These early frog experiments set the stage for later breakthroughs in mammalian cloning and provided vital insights into developmental biology. Their legacy is still felt in the labs and discoveries that followed. More at Nature.

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11. Ferrets

In a major step for wildlife conservation, scientists cloned a black-footed ferret in 2020—the first time a U.S. endangered species was cloned. This breakthrough not only provides a genetic lifeline to a species on the brink of extinction but also demonstrates how cloning can aid in restoring dwindling animal populations. The success of the ferret project brings renewed hope and new tools for saving other endangered species. Read more at National Geographic.

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12. Wolves

In 2005, South Korean scientists successfully cloned the world’s first wolf using advanced techniques similar to those developed for dogs. This achievement opened exciting new avenues for wildlife conservation, allowing researchers to study the genetic makeup and health of wild wolf populations. Cloning wolves not only aids research but also offers hope for preserving threatened species in changing environments. More from Reuters.

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13. Camels

Cloning camels has become a notable practice in the Middle East, particularly for reproducing racing champions and valuable breeding animals. By cloning camels with superior speed and stamina, breeders can preserve and multiply desirable traits, ensuring high performance in the competitive world of camel racing. This innovative approach has sparked interest in both the sporting and agricultural communities. Read more at BBC News.

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14. Apples

Cloning isn’t just for animals—apple trees are routinely cloned using a method called grafting. This age-old technique ensures that popular varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp maintain their signature taste, texture, and quality across generations. By propagating apples this way, growers can consistently deliver the same delicious fruit year after year, preserving the characteristics that make each variety unique. Learn more at University of Minnesota.

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15. Human Cells and Tissues

Perhaps most impactful, scientists have successfully cloned human cells and tissues for medical research and therapeutic purposes. Through techniques such as therapeutic cloning, researchers generate stem cells that can help treat diseases, repair tissues, and advance personalized medicine—without creating a full human clone. These breakthroughs are paving the way for treatments of conditions once thought incurable. As science continues to evolve, public understanding and responsible innovation are more important than ever. Read more at Mayo Clinic.

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