Cloning is a process in which a body (somatic) cell is placed into an egg cell from which the DNA has been removed, by a process called nuclear transfer. The egg cell is then activated and starts to develop. The resulting offspring has DNA identical to the animal donating the somatic cell. Cloning is an asexual form of reproduction. In contrast, sexual reproduction uses a sperm and an egg cell and the resultant offspring has a genetic mix from two animals.
In Reproductive Cloning, following the nuclear transfer process the egg cell is grown into an embryo and is placed in the uterus of a surrogate mother who will carry the pregnancy to completion as a normal pregnancy. In Therapeutic Cloning, the egg cell is grown only to the blastocyst stage and the inner cell mass is removed from the blastocyst. The stem cells in the inner cell mass are then differentiated into cells that can be used to treat life-threatening diseases. It is important to note that no embryo is either created or destroyed in the Therapeutic Cloning process.
ACT does not currently have any treatments approved by the FDA and available to patients. The best way you can help yourself, or your loved ones, is to take action and tell your local Senators and Congressmen that you are supporting therapeutic cloning. In the meantime, if you want to be considered for possible clinical trial work, please send us a letter with your name, disease/condition and contact information and we will keep your records on file.
ACT is not engaged in human cloning, has never attempted human cloning nor does the company support human cloning. Any statements to the contrary are simply false.
ACT is pursuing limited animal cloning research. This research will help the company refine its technology for therapeutic applications. It also enables ACT to develop lines of identical animals with genetic disorders for pre-clinical trials of its cell therapies.
Researchers can create clones of valuable agricultural animals or produce genetically modified livestock. The latter animals may be able to produce human proteins to be used as therapeutics when extracted from milk or be able to produce animal models of human diseases. Genetically modified livestock may also be given specific disease resistance, such as animals resistant to mad-cow disease.
The cloning of the gaur was the first successful cloning attempt using cross-species cloning technology. This project helped ACT better understand the critical parameters of cloning and cellular development. ACT also believes that this technology can help in restoring populations of endangered species that have difficulty reproducing in zoos.
ACT is a privately held company and therefore you cannot invest in our stock on any of the national stock exchanges. If you are interested in investing in ACT as a private company, please contact our CFO to discuss this possibility.
Unfortunately, no. We do not have the resources to accommodate visitors to our facilities.
We periodically list openings here on our website, if you are interested in applying for one of the open positions, please submit your resume and we will process it promptly.
Unfortunately, we do not accept summer interns.
ACT does not clone animals for commercial purposes. However, depending on the type of animal you want to clone you can contact one of the following companies using ACT technology. Cyagra, Inc., Viagen, Inc. and Genetic Savings & Clone..
ACT is partnering and licensing its technology for all applications outside human cell therapy. We have several partners using one or more of our technologies in various fields.