Dolly the Sheep Day 🐑

Overview

Dolly the Sheep Day observes the historic announcement made on February 22, 1997, that scientists had successfully cloned an adult mammal, Dolly the sheep. This unprecedented scientific achievement, carried out at the Roslin Institute in Scotland, captivated the world and initiated profound discussions on bioethics and the future of genetic engineering.

Observed each year on February 22, Dolly the Sheep Day invites people to pause, share the story, and bring a little themed joy to their day.

Origin and story

Dolly was the first mammal successfully cloned from an adult somatic cell, a groundbreaking departure from previous cloning attempts using embryonic cells.

She was famously named after country music singer Dolly Parton, as the original cell used for cloning was taken from the mammary gland of an adult ewe.

Quick facts

• DateFebruary 22
• TypeCultural / community observance
• Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams

Also on this date

Ways to observe

• Learn what cloning is (and isn't).
• Explore ethical discussions surrounding cloning.
• Learn how Dolly advanced genetic research.
• Discuss how breakthroughs raise new questions.
• Learn how regulations guide scientific research.

Fun facts

• Dolly was born in 1996 and lived a normal sheep's lifespan, proving adult cells could be reprogrammed.

Sources and attribution

Dolly the Sheep Explained (National Museums Scotland)

Cloning & Dolly (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is Dolly the Sheep Day?

It is observed on February 22 each year.

What is Dolly the Sheep Day?

Dolly the Sheep Day observes the historic announcement made on February 22, 1997, that scientists had successfully cloned an adult mammal, Dolly the sheep. This unprecedented scientific achievement, carried out at the Roslin Institute in Scotland, captivated the world and initiated profound discussions on bioethics and the future of genetic engineering.

How do people observe Dolly the Sheep Day?

Learn about cloning and reflect on the science and ethics it raises.

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