Pigs cloned from adult cells

Piglets have been cloned from cells taken from the ears of two prize boars.

It is the first time a pig has been cloned from an adult cell, rather than cells taken from a pig fetus, said corporate researchers at Infigen, in DeForest, Wisconsin.

One of the ideas behind cloning farm animals is to be able to duplicate prize animals precisely. Semen from elite males can sell for $US100 ($240) or more a shot, but the uncertainties of natural mating make it a risky investment.