BEIJING, Aug 6: Chinese researchers have succeeded in cloning a gene of the endangered giant panda which could help treat or prevent disease among the species, the official media has reported.

Researchers at the Chengdu Zoo and the Biology Department of United University of Sichuan had successfully cloned a gene linked to nervous disorders, the leading cause of death among giant pandas, according to United University researcher Lin Feng.

The discovery represents the first successful clone of a giant panda, said researchers at the Sichuan branch of the Chinese Academy of Science.This achievement sets a good foundation for the prevention of nervous system diseases among pandas and demonstrates that China's panda research has broken new ground in biology.

Fewer than 1,000 pandas live in the rugged mountain areas of southwestern China, where poaching and development of forestland threaten the animal's survival.

Scottish researchers earlier had successfully cloned sheep, earlier this year. Later US scientists cloned a monkey.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.