Cloning primates, particularly rhesus monkeys, has always been fraught with difficulties. However, a research institute in China has announced a breakthrough in successfully cloning a healthy rhesus monkey. Despite decades of research on somatic cell cloning, the cloned animals have often suffered from organ damage and reduced life expectancy. Only cows have shown relatively better chances of survival compared to primates. While experts appreciate the biological significance of this accomplishment, they do not believe it will have widespread adoption within the scientific community. The researchers used a rarely replicated technique involving a combination of cloned and non-cloned embryos, further complicating the already challenging cloning process. Cloning involves creating an exact genetic copy, or clone, of a complex lifeform. The biggest hurdle in cloning is ensuring the clone’s survival, as most clones experience poor health and short lifespans. Somatic cell cloning entails transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell, such as a nerve cell, into an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed. This reprogrammed egg cell prompts the development of an embryo. However, as the cells divide and differentiate, certain genes may not be expressed, leading to the formation of different cell types. The egg cell resetting the implanted somatic cell nucleus allows for the reading of all genes, effectively starting from scratch. However, the efficiency rate of cloning remains low. While the current study succeeded in producing a live birth, it is difficult to determine whether this outcome resulted from chance or the new technique. Cloning primates is not inherently more challenging than cloning other mammals, but the limited experience and high costs associated with monkey research impede progress in this field. Despite ethical concerns, there is significant interest in cloning monkeys due to their biological similarity to humans. Researchers hope to utilize cloned monkeys in medical research, particularly for investigating treatments for diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Such experiments, involving cloned and non-cloned monkeys, could yield more applicable findings than those conducted solely on mice. The potential for gene therapies to address visual impairment, deafness, heart disease, and metabolic conditions is also being explored. However, the comprehensive role of cloned monkeys in finding desired treatments remains uncertain. The use of cloned monkeys in research raises ethical dilemmas, given their similarity to humans and sensitivity to pain. Although the cloning of monkeys is still a subject of controversy, its potential benefits in treating untreatable diseases and alleviating suffering cannot be dismissed. Despite this significant achievement in China, the broader applicability and ethical considerations of cloning primates demand further scrutiny.