Sir Ian Wilmut
Expert on Cloning
Ian Wilmut is an English embryologist and is currently one of the leaders of the Queen's Medical Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh. He is best known as the man who played a supervisory role in the team that in 1996 first cloned a mammal, a Finn Dorset lamb named "Dolly".
"Dr Wilmut offers his audiences an insight into a future that only a short while ago was considered science-fiction."
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In 1971 he received a Ph. D. in animal genetic engineering from Darwin College, University of Cambridge. At Darwin College, Cambridge, Wilmut met researcher Chris Porge who had discovered how to freeze cells in 1949. Wilmut became fascinated with the research. Wilmut was awarded a Ph.D. in 1971; his subsequent research in Cambridge led to the birth of the first calf from a frozen embryo - "Frosty" - in 1973. Dolly was the first clone derived from adult cells. She died early, in 2003, at 6 years old. In 2005, Ian received the licence to clone human embryos for research that may one day help find a cure for motor neuron disease. In 2008 he received the Honour of Knighthood for his services to science.
WHAT he OFFERS YOU
He tackles the question of cloning ethics in his presentations, whilst outlining the future of research in the field, previewing the incredible progress which will ensue in pharmacology, genetics, husbandry and agriculture. In his lectures, he also explores the future benefits of cloning technology and how it will lead the way to countless new advances in every area of science.