The first report of successfully cloning a non-human primate will undoubtedly raise a series of ethical concerns. Critics often warn of a slippery slope argument that brings researchers one step closer to human cloning. Experts, however, say that the benefits of this approach are clear. A primate model that can be generated with a uniform genetic background could be very useful for understanding and ultimately treating diseases, especially those with a genetic element. Researchers behind this development say that cloning can be combined with gene editing techniques, to produce a large number of monkeys with a specified genetic defect that causes diseases in people.

The animals could then be used for studying those diseases and testing treatments. Because monkeys are biologically more like humans than other lab animals, like mice or rats, results of the studies could be very useful. The researchers add that while the new research may bring the possibility of cloning humans closer, it is not on the table.