Brazil's Pioneering Steps in Animal Cloning: From Cows to Pigs at USP

Brazil has long been at the forefront of animal cloning in Latin America, with universities and research institutions driving innovations that span agriculture, conservation, and now medicine. The recent birth of the country's first cloned pig at the University of São Paulo (USP) represents a significant leap, particularly in the realm of xenotransplantation— the transplantation of organs or tissues between different species. This achievement builds on decades of expertise honed at institutions like USP and Embrapa, where cloning techniques have evolved from replicating elite cattle to engineering pigs whose organs could one day save human lives.

The cloned piglet, affectionately coded P22 and weighing 2.5 kilograms at birth, arrived healthy around late March 2026 at the Instituto de Zootecnia of the Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA) in Piracicaba, São Paulo. This milestone underscores USP's role in higher education's push toward biotechnology frontiers, attracting global attention and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations among geneticists, veterinarians, surgeons, and embryologists.

A Legacy of Cloning Excellence in Brazilian Higher Education

Brazil's journey in animal cloning began in 2001 with Vitória, the first cloned cow in Latin America, produced by Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia. This bovine breakthrough, achieved through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)—a process where the nucleus from a donor cell is inserted into an enucleated egg cell—set the stage for genetic preservation and elite breed multiplication. Universities quickly followed suit. In 2012, researchers cloned the Mangalarga Marchador horse Turbante JO from preserved genetic material dating back 15 years, demonstrating cloning's potential for reviving lost lineages.

By 2014, the first transgenic cloned goat, Gluca, emerged from Latin American labs, engineered to produce human glucocerebrosidase in its milk for Gaucher disease treatment—a fusion of cloning and gene therapy that highlighted academia's dual focus on agribusiness and health. These successes at institutions partnering with universities established Brazil as a regional leader, with techniques refined for efficiency despite low success rates of 1-5% typical in mammalian cloning.

The USP Xenotransplant Project: Engineering Pigs for Human Organs

At the heart of the pig cloning is USP's Centro de Ciência para o Desenvolvimento em Xenotransplante, or XenoBr project, spearheaded by surgeon Silvano Raia from the Faculdade de Medicina (FM-USP) and geneticist Mayana Zatz from the Instituto de Biociências' Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center (CEGH-CEL). Funded by FAPESP with over R$21 million, plus federal and private support from EMS pharma, the initiative aims to produce pathogen-free, genetically modified pigs for kidney and heart transplants.

The process combines CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing—precise 'molecular scissors' that cut DNA at targeted sites—with SCNT. Researchers deactivate three porcine genes: GGTA1, CMAH, and B4GALNT2, which produce carbohydrates triggering hyperacute rejection in humans. They also insert seven human transgenes, such as those for anticoagulants and immunomodulators, to enhance compatibility and thwart chronic rejection. Ernesto Goulart, USP professor and project lead in Piracicaba, notes the challenge: 'We tested various protocols... finally succeeding after overcoming pig oocyte hurdles harder than in cattle.'

State-of-the-Art Facilities Powering USP's Biotech Ambitions

Success hinges on biosecure facilities. In April 2024, USP inaugurated Latin America's first pig breeding unit at Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, holding up to 10 animals under strict pathogen-free conditions using Landrace and Large White breeds. A larger site at Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas (IPT) is underway. Collaborations with APTA's Instituto de Zootecnia in Piracicaba provided the gestation environment, where P22 was born.

These setups reflect higher education's investment in infrastructure, training PhD students and postdocs in bioengineering. Goulart's team produced over 10,000 cloned embryos last year, with 20 transfers yielding pregnancies—P22 marking full-term viability.

Addressing Brazil's Transplant Crisis Through University Research

Brazil faces a dire organ shortage: around 48,000-71,000 patients await transplants, with many dying on dialysis. Kidneys top the list, as porcine ones match human size and function, gestate in 114 days, and yield large litters. Raia emphasizes: 'Importing organs is unfeasible; we must serve SUS patients.' Globally, US trials transplanted gene-edited pig kidneys into brain-dead recipients, functioning days to weeks—USP aims to replicate locally.

• Annually, ~18,000 transplants occur in Brazil, far below need.
• Xenotransplants could supplement, starting with kidneys alongside native ones.
• Cost savings: reduce hemodialysis burden (R$100k+/patient/year).

Global Context: USP Joins the Xenotransplant Race

While eGenesis (US) pioneered 10-gene edits for FDA-approved pigs, Brazil's three-knockout/seven-insert mirrors strategies reducing rejection 99% in primates. A Folha report details USP's alignment with international standards, positioning Brazilian universities competitively.

China and US lead trials; USP's XenoBr eyes preclinical tests soon, with a sow pregnant with three clones.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations in Academic Research

Cloning efficiency remains low; pig embryos often fail post-implantation. Pathogen risks (e.g., porcine endogenous retroviruses) demand sterile herds. Ethically, Raia notes consent and equity for SUS access. Universities navigate regulations via Anvisa/Conep, balancing innovation with welfare—pigs raised humanely in controlled environments.

Jorge Kalil adds: 'We learn nuances only through trials... vital for Brazil.' Higher ed grapples with funding, training ethicists alongside scientists.

Future Horizons: Clinical Trials and Beyond

Next: clone edited embryos, preclinical primate tests, then human compassionates (e.g., dialysis patients). XenoBr startup will scale production. By 2030, routine xenokidneys could transform Brazil's SUS.

Boosting Biotech Careers in Brazilian Higher Education

USP's project trains next-gen talent: PhDs in genomics, vets in embryology, surgeons in transplants. Fields like CRISPR bioengineering boom, with jobs at unis, Embrapa, startups. Brazil's 1M+ higher ed students eye research roles amid R$500B+ agribiotech market.

• Skills: SCNT, CRISPR, biosafety.
• Opportunities: USP/ESALQ Piracicaba, FM-USP, GENOMA.
• Growth: Xenotech could add 10k jobs by 2030.

Explore university jobs in São Paulo or national research positions.

Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash

Broader Impacts on Brazilian Academia and Society

USP's feat elevates Brazil's research profile, drawing partnerships (e.g., US/China). It addresses transplant inequities, potentially saving 10k lives/year. Higher ed benefits: more funding, intl collaborations, attracting talent to unis like UFRGS, Unicamp exploring similar biotech.

For details, see FAPESP's in-depth coverage.