Iranian researchers have cloned a goat and plan additional experiments they say will lead to the treatment for stroke patients. The female goat, was named Hana. In 2006 Iran became the 1st country in the Middle East to claim it had cloned a sheep. 2 and a half years have passed and the animal remains healthy.

The effort is an attempt by Iran to become a dominant power in advanced science and technology by the year 2025. In recent years, Iran has been focusing on making discoveries in drugs and in aerospace in addition to nuclear technology. The cloning of sheep and other animals could lead to , such as using cloned cells for development of human antibodies against illnesses. Iran’s cloning program has won backing from Shiite led government, which has issued orders sanctioning animal cloning but banning human reproductive cloning.