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The Battalion
Page 7A • Thursday, January 30, 2003
Jenetic variance makes difference in clones
^critical genes do not imply identical appearance, clone project leader says
By Katie Hilber
THE BATTALION
With the cloning of a tiny kitten named Copy
Cat, Texas A&M made history by becoming the
world’s first institution of higher learning to suc
cessfully clone four different species of animals.
Having cloned cattle, goats and pigs, A&M scien
tists turned their attention to cloning a domestic
animal; the end result was a short hair cat named
Cc, short for “Copy Cat.”
The cloning project, “Operation Copy Cat,”
was part of the multi-million dollar Missyplicity
Project funded by Genetic Savings and Clone.
Cloning occurs when genetic material from a
donor cell is removed and inserted into an unfer
tilized egg, according to Genetic Savings and
Clone’s Web site. An egg is placed in a surrogate
mother and allowed to develop normally, and the
baby is an exact genetic copy of the original cell
donor at birth.
In Cc’s case, the cell used was donated by
Rainbow, an adult female short hair cat. The DNA
from Rainbow’s cell was removed and placed in
an unfertilized egg from another donor cat, Allie.
The egg, complete with its new DNA, was rein
serted into Allie, who would serve as a surrogate
mother for the recently-cloned kitten.
After her birth on Dec. 22, 2001, test results
proved that Cc has the same genetic makeup as
her donor Rainbow.
While she and Rainbow look very similar, their coat patterns are
different. Rainbow is a calico cat with brown, tan and gold patches
on her white coat, according to a January issue of Newsday. Cc’s
white coat has gray stripes.
“Color coat patterns are not completely controlled by genetics;
they are also controlled by environmental and non-genetic factors,”
said Dr. Mark Westhusin, associate professor of veterinary medicine
and lead scientist on Operation Copy Cat.
Citing black and white cows as an example, Westhusin said, “Any
multi-color animal clone doesn't look exactly the same as the donor.”
Popular Science discussed a paper written by Marjorie Oleksiak,
Douglas Crawford, and Gary Churchill entitled, “Variation in Genetic
Expression Within and Among Natural Populations” that presents
information with special significance to the difference between Cc’s
coat pattern and that of her genetic donor's.
Individual characteristics are detennined by genes and the proteins
they contain. Not all genes produce the exact same kinds of proteins;
if this were the case, every single person would look - and essential
ly be - exactly the same.
The paper proposes that genes not only make different proteins,
but the genes make them in different amounts.
Genes are controlled by small particles of DNA called promot
ers, which are adjacent to the gene under their control, according to
Popular Science. Sometimes, however, the promoter will be locat
ed far away from its gene. In this case, the promoter acts as part of
a group referred to by scientists as genetic elements. Due to the fact
that they are quite a distance from the gene, promoters can become
separated from the gene and scattered during the reproductive
process. The mixing and matching of genes and genetic elements
largely determines characteristics.
The amount of proteins in the genes, besides the types of proteins
themselves, might be one reason why Cc is not a mirror image of
Rainbow, Westhusin said.
Although Cc is genetically identical to her cell donor, the genet
ic elements arranged themselves differently in the kitten and were
therefore expressed as a different coat pattern, he said.
A&M scientists are continually working to expand their knowl
edge of cloning. “We’ve really refocused our efforts on basic sci
ence,” Westhusin said. “We’re trying to understand why cloning is
so inefficient.”
Citing high abortion rates early in gestation and abnormal devel
opments as two of the problems with cloning, Westhusin said A&M
scientists are interested in closely studying the communication
between the placenta and the mother.
• Most clones are born healthy
• Clones have a higher than average risk
of dying in the womb or shortly after birth
• Abnormalities include deformed hearts,
lungs and blood vessels
Travis Swenson • THE BATTALION
Source: The Washington Post
odern healers embracing ancient acupuncture techniques
By Nick Perry
KRT CAMPUS
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;er. 1 SEATTLE - Students have long studied for
Souaid, 40, ofioctoral degrees in philosophy and medicine _
Point is charadi/i pit never before for a doctorate in acupuncture,
it indictment i# I No recognized learning institution in the
fraud, prtxkiwi- ■JoltedStates has ever offered such a course. But
he wholesa^fe Mhlsyeat, Bastyr University in Kenmore, Wash.,
scription drugs^ pMs to offer a DAOM - a Doctorate in
Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. An alterna-
es say Souaid tatbjfocSHege in Portland, Ore., has similar plans,
administer the atB^g new degree will give more credibility to
it least ... p.ii! j l!eatmen t that is increasingly accepted and
ith prostate caiK^ 1 j )race( j as a corn p an j on to conventional medi-
e, said Terry Courtney, the program chair-
n. It also will open research opportunities and
chance for students to specialize within their
Id.
The program is expected to get accreditation
im a national board that oversees Oriental-
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Jasmine Patel performs an acupuncture procedure
on Barbara Hubbard at the Bastyr Center in
Wallingford, Washington.
medicine education. It would not be considered
a medical degree or give graduates the same
privileges as medical doctors, such as the ability
to prescribe drugs. It would be up to each state
to decide whether to allow graduates to put “Dr.”
before their names.
Jasmine Patel, 27, of Kenmore plans to apply
for the new course. She is completing a residen
cy at Bastyr's acupuncture and herbal clinic in
Wallingford, Wash.
Patel said the new degree will give her more
training and the ability to explore the academic
and teaching aspects of her field. She said she
prefers the natural approach of acupuncture and
herbal medicine to what she sees as traditional
medicine's focus on symptoms.
“It's a more holistic-based therapy and more
healing,” she said. “It gets to the root of the
problem.”
Acupuncture remains most well-known for
its help with pain relief, especially for sports
injuries. Courtney said it can treat a host of other
internal medical conditions and that federally
funded drug-rehabilitation programs throughout
the country use acupuncture to help reduce crav
ings among recovering drug addicts.
Acupuncture still is shunned in some areas,
particularly the Midwest.
Nine states do not recognize acupuncture,
making practitioners more vulnerable to law
suits. An additional 11 states require physician
oversight or referral. The remaining 30 states
recognize acupuncture as a legitimate, inde
pendent profession.
A typical acupuncture treatment involves a
practitioner inserting up to a dozen needles
about one-quarter of an inch below the skin sur
face for about 30 minutes. Treatments are
repeated once or twice a week for up to six
weeks.
“We are still not really sure how it works,”
Courtney said. “It opens channels and gets
things moving. It works where there is an imbal
ance of energy pathways.”
In China, patients have sworn by acupuncture
for 2,500 years. The treatment has gained popu
larity in the U.S. since the 1960s and got a big
boost six years ago when the Food and Drug
Administration removed certain restrictions,
allowing patients to claim health-insurance
reimbursements.
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STUDENT
COUNSELING
SERVICE
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Texas A&M University
Groups
for
SPRING
2003
at the
Student
Counseling
Service
Part of the
Division of Student Affairs
Henderson Hall
979/845-4427
www.scs.tam u .ed u
Anxiety Group
Wednesdays 3:30-5:00 p.m.
An interpersonal group for students who suffer from general or
social anxieties. Students will work on the impact of anxieties in
their lives, as well as explore the interpersonal meanings of anx
iety symptoms.
Facilitators: Carlos Orozco & Peter Barnes
Bipolar Support Group
Tuesdays 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Provides support and information to students diagnosed with a
bipolar disorder. Group meets weekly and is led by a psychiatrist.
Potential topics include diagnosis, symptoms, medications, and
lifestyle issues/relapse prevention.
Facilitator: Nancy Stebbins
Interpersonal Counseling Group
Tuesdays 5:00-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays 1:00-2:30 p.m.
This psychotherapy group is for students desiring to live more
authentically with themselves and relate more genuinely with
others. Explore self-limiting life patterns and share with others
through honest self disclosure in a safe, supportive atmosphere.
Facilitators: Ron Lutz & Peter Barnes (Tues.)
Ron Lutz & David Sandrow (Wed.)
Biofeedback Workshop
Thursdays 3:40-5:40 p.m.
One-session workshops that give an introduction to relaxation
techniques, including how biofeedback aids in relaxation.
Individual follow-up consultation is available.
Facilitator: Steve Wilson
Grief and Loss Group
Wednesdays 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Have you experienced the death of a loved one or friend? Has
your loss affected your concentration or studying? Would you
like to share with others who have been through this experience?
Come to this supportive group to share with others and to
understand the grief recovery process.
Facilitators: Nancy Welch & Robert Carter
Spri
2003
Eating Concerns & Body Image Issues Group
Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Provides information and support for those trying to overcome
an eating disorder. We will discuss topics related to eating con
cerns such as the development of trusting relationships, expres
sion of feelings, and management of stress. (An individual meet
ing with a group leader prior to attendance at group required.)
Facilitators: Mary Ann Covey & Phil Rash
Women’s Issues Group
Mondays 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Come together with other women and work on becoming the
woman you’ve always wanted to be. Improve your self-confi
dence, assertiveness, and relationships by sharing and processing
with other women with similar issues.
Facilitators: Nancy Welch & Kristin Ober
Conflict & Loss in Relationships Group
Mondays 5:00-6:00 p.m.
This group is for students who are currently or have previously
experienced conflict in interpersonal or romantic relationships,
or who have recently experienced a loss of meaningful relation
ship.
Facilitators: Brian Williams & Kristin Ober
Non-Traditional Women’s Group
Tuesdays 5:15-6:45
For women 23+ allows each member to enter the group with
her own unique issues within a group context. Helps women
who are wanting to develop healthier ways of dealing with the
stress of school, work, relationships, personal problems and fam
ily issues.
Facilitators: Amanda Samson & Carla Hilland
Academic SURVIVOR Series
Tuesdays I 1:30-1:00 p.m.
Need some help surviving the academic transition from high
school to college? Before “tribal council votes you off,” attend
this Tuesday series beginning March 17th and ending April 29th.
Screening before Oct. 7th required for participation.
Facilitator: Patti Collins
Thesis/Dissertation Support Group
Wednesdays 5:00-6:30 p.m.
This group is for graduate students struggling with the
process of writing a thesis or dissertation. Group topics
include issues of competence, procrastination, anxiety,
goal-setting, and bureaucratic struggles.
Facilitator: Brian Williams
Academics Anonymous
Wednesdays 2:20-3:35 p.m.
Motivated to improve your academic performance but find it dif
ficult to be consistent in your efforts? Join this 9 week support
group on Wednesdays from 4-5:30pm beginning February 19th
and ending April 23rd. Learn effective study strategies, and get
support from others. Topics may include procrastination and
building academic confidence. Screening before Sept. 16th is
required for participation.
Facilitator: Patti Collins
Career Exploration Group
Thursdays 4:00-5:30 p.m.
This is a 5 week group beginning on M arch 20th. Designed to
teach participants how to make decisions. Groups will identify
interests, skills, work values and personality characteristics,
research the job market and occupation. An'initial appointment
with a career counselor is required.
Facilitator: Carla Hilland
Texas A&M University has a strong institutional commirment to the
principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, admission to Texas A&M
University and any of its sponsored programs is open to all qualified
individuals without regard to any subgroup classification or stereotype.