CLONING UPDATE: Scientists have successfully implanted cloned, artifically grown kidneys in a cow.

The experiment has a wide range of implications in terms of “grow-your-own” organs for humans as it is the first time that an animal’s immune system has not rejected cloned tissue.

It could mean that cloned embryos may, in future, be created using human DNA to grow organs and tissues to treat illnesses such as heart disease, Parkinson’s, diabetes, strokes and cancer.

Bioengineers from the Children’s Hospital in Boston and Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, Massachusetts, claimed the experiment would put an end to criticism that therapeutic cloning will not work.

(Via Rich Hailey). Here’s the Boston Globe version, which is a bit longer.

UPDATE: By the way, Charles Murtaugh had this story a while back, based on rumor.