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Tributes paid to iconic Dolly the sheep
Sir Ian Wilmut and Dolly
Original research team leader Sir Ian Wilmut with Dolly.

Fans celebrate 20-year anniversary of birth

Scientists involved in the original creation of Dolly will join members of the public to mark the twentieth anniversary of her birth.  Infamous in the scientific breakthrough she embodied, fans will be invited to reflect on her life and share their hopes for what associated research may achieve.

Work continues at the Roslin Institute in Midlothian, where Dolly was produced, to develop gene-editing technologies to alter DNA to improve the health and welfare of farmed animals.

Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, original research team leader, said: “When Dolly was born we knew that we had achieved something extraordinary. But I don’t think any of us would have predicted the level of public interest in our research.”

Dolly was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell, in a process that involved replacing the nucleus of an embryo with a nucleus from a cell from another animal. The resulting birth generated a media frenzy regarding the ethics of cloning and its possibilities.  

However the process of extracting a nucleus from an adult cell and the acceptance of it by an embryonic cell paved the way for genetic modification of animals and ultimately human stem-cell research possibilities.

Dolly will be displayed from Friday 8 July at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh as part of a ten-gallery project devoted to science, technology design and fashion.

Image © Roslin Institute

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.