On September 10, 2023, the world of science lost one of its giants, the British Ian Wilmut, at the age of 79.
Known as the “father” of Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from adult cells, Wilmut revolutionized the field of genetic cloning and left a legacy that continues to inspire researchers around the world.
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The news of Ian Wilmut's death was confirmed by the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, where the discovery of the cloning of Dolly the sheep was made.
Bruce Whitelaw, director of the institution, highlighted the importance of Wilmut's work, stating that “there was a global reach” and his studies still drive research in human and animal biology.
The feat that made Ian Wilmut famous occurred on July 5, 1996, when Dolly the sheep came into the world. It was created from a cell from the mammary gland of a Dorset Finn sheep.
Until then, the scientific community believed that cloning a complete animal from adult cells was impossible. However, Wilmut's team managed to accomplish this remarkable feat.
(Image: Profile Brasil/Twitter/Reproduction)
The pioneering technique involved growing an adult cell and an egg in a test tube for six days before transferring them to a surrogate mother.
This challenging process involved the collaboration of scientists from different areas, including embryology, surgeons, veterinarians and experts in breeding. animals.
Dolly not only became an icon of science, but also proof that genetic cloning was possible.
She had several offspring between 1998 and 2000 and enjoyed a normal life until February 2003, when euthanasia was carried out to spare her suffering after tumors were discovered in her lungs.
Ian Wilmut retired from academia in 2012 and, six years later, made it public that he suffered from Parkinson's disease.
Peter Mathieson, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, praised Wilmut as a “titan” whose work transformed scientific thinking at the time.
His impact will last for generations, and he is remembered as a hugely respected scientist, mentor, and friend.
Ian Wilmut, who received an Order of the British Empire in 1999 and the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Award in 2005, leaves a legacy that will continue to stimulate the search for scientific knowledge and the exploration of the mysteries of genetics.
His work opened doors to countless possibilities in the fields of medicine and biology, and his contribution to science is invaluable.
