Currently, a total of 14 cloned sniffer dogs are in operation — all are the breed of beagle — that were successfully reproduced by cloning the somatic cells in the ears from ‘Danny’ and ‘Kaiser.(image:Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency)
SEOUL, July 27 (Korea Bizwire) –‘Quppy,’ cloned sniffer dogs, are doing stellar performance at major airports and ports across the nation, according to an announcement by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (QIA) which has run a program titled ‘Research on Reproduction of Superb Cloned Sniffer Dogs’ together with Seoul National University since 2011.
Currently, a total of 14 cloned sniffer dogs are in operation — all are the breed of beagle — that were successfully reproduced by cloning the somatic cells in the ears from ‘Danny’ and ‘Kaiser.’ Danny and Kaiser were imported to South Korea in commemoration of the official opening of the Incheon International Airport in 2002.
“The detection range of the sniffer canine will be expanded to white ants, blamed for wreaking havoc on wooden buildings in the nation’s cultural assets, and even to infectious animal diseases such as the foot-and-mouth disease.”
An official at the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (QIA)
QIA registered the related technology called ‘optimized culture fluid using donor cells’ — developed in the processes of cloning Quppy — with the local patent authorities in 2013 and plans to demonstrate the advanced biotechnology at the upcoming International Bio Industry Expo due September this year. It is widely known that sniffer dogs are more efficient — in terms of detecting — than other methods because their detection is highly accurate.
An official at QIA said “The successful cloning of the sniffers can contribute significantly to the genetic resources of outstanding sniffer dogs.” “The detection range of the sniffer canine will be expanded to white ants, blamed for wreaking havoc on wooden buildings in the nation’s cultural assets, and even to infectious animal diseases such as the foot-and-mouth disease.”
by Jerry M. Kim (jerrykim@koreabizwire.com)
