Colorado State’s Internationally Recognized Expert Reveals "The Science of Cloning" at Oct. 4 Lecture

Note to Editors: Photos of Professor Seidel and of cloned, twin calves are available electronically. Contact Karen Wheeler at (970) 491-6435.

George Seidel, a University Distinguished Professor and an internationally recognized expert in reproductive biology and genetic engineering, will discuss "The Science of Cloning Mammals" at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Lory Student Center Theater. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

The presentation will focus on the science of cloning, including discussion of the principles and methods of cloning, the characteristics of cloned animals and the potential application of this new technology. The most promising and most interesting of these applications have little to do with making copies of animals, Seidel said.

The hour-long presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.

Refreshments will be served after the lecture at a reception in the Art Lounge adjacent to the theater. Seidel will be available for informal discussion.

Researchers at Colorado State have been pioneers in the area of genetic engineering for the past two decades. Led by Seidel, the first cloned, identical twin calves were produced at Colorado State in 1981, followed in 1984 by the world’s first genetically identical twin foals. Other breakthroughs include the birth of Firecracker, the world’s first "test-tube" horse, in 1996. In 1998, the birth of Call Me Madam, a filly conceived by a technique for predetermining the sex of an offspring using artificial insemination, was another first.

The presentation is co-sponsored by the University Distinguished Professors and the Honors Program at Colorado State University.

For more information, call Sandy Gilbert at (970) 491-5679.