First deer cloned as a trophy for hunters
The first successful cloning of a white-tailed deer, announced last week by scientists at Texas A&M; University, may usher in a brave new hunting world. The deer was created expressly with hunters in mind, according to Mark Westhusin, lead researcher for the project.
“White-tailed deer hunting is a $2.2-billion-a-year industry,” said Westhusin. “People pay $25,000 to $30,000 to hunt these animals. Cloning will allow us to breed deer with the characteristics hunters want, in particular large antlers.”
But critics are not impressed. “They should be ashamed,” said Mary Beth Sweetland, senior vice president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
“Are you telling me we don’t have enough white-tailed deer? This is what we use science funding for?”
Westhusin previously made headlines after cloning a house cat, part of research funded by John Sperling, the founder of education giant the University of Phoenix.
-- Charles Duhigg
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