Korea, Russia study the mammoth cloning

Russian and Korean scientists on March 13 signed a co-research agreement to revive a mammoth, extinct animal about 10,000 years ago.

>>>Mammoths can be revived

South Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk (left) and Mr. Vasily Vasiliev, Vice Rector of Northeast Federal University of Russia's Sakha Republic

The agreement was signed by Vasily Vasiliev, Vice-Chancellor of the Northeastern Federal University of Sakha Republic of Russia, and South Korean cloning pioneer Hwang Woo-suk, of the Research Foundation of Technology. Sooam biology, according to AFP.

Mr. Hwang was a Korean hero until some research in stem cell production was spoofed in 2006. However, the result of the world's first cloned dog was created. His name, Snuppy, in 2005 was confirmed by experts.

Stem cell scientists are now ambitious to create mammoths after global warming dissipates the permafrost in Siberia and reveals the body of the animal.

The Sooam Foundation said they would begin research this year if the Russian university could transfer elephants to Korea. Beijing Gene Institute also participated in this project.

'The first and most important task is to restore mammoth cells , ' Sooam Hwang In-sung, a scientist, told AFP.

His colleagues will join Russian scientists to find well-preserved tissues that contain the complete set of genes.

Previously, Korean experts successfully cloned animals such as cows, cats, dogs, pigs and wolves.