Science News Roundup: UK scientist who created Dolly the Sheep clone dies at 79; Britain may designate genomics sector as critical infrastructure and more

His death on Sunday years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease was announced by the University of Edinburgh, where he worked. Canada's Telesat taps SpaceX to launch its broadband satellites in orbit Canada's Telesat on Monday said it has sealed an agreement with SpaceX to launch its low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites from 2026, with the aim of providing global broadband service from space in late 2027.

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

UK scientist who created Dolly the Sheep clone dies at 79

British scientist Ian Wilmut, whose research was central to the creation of the cloned animal, Dolly the Sheep, has died at the age of 79, the University of Edinburgh said on Monday. His death on Sunday years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease was announced by the University of Edinburgh, where he worked.

Britain may designate genomics sector as critical infrastructure

Britain is exploring designating its genomics sector as critical national infrastructure, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said on Monday, amid pressure from lawmakers concerned at China's activity in the field. Genomics is the study of the genome - the complete set of DNA contained within a single cell.

Canada's Telesat taps SpaceX to launch its broadband satellites in orbit

Canada's Telesat on Monday said it has sealed an agreement with SpaceX to launch its low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites from 2026, with the aim of providing global broadband service from space in late 2027. LEO satellites operate 36 times closer to Earth than traditional ones so they take less time to send and receive information, leading to better and faster broadband service even in remote areas.

Lab-grown meat can be kosher and halal, experts say

Lab-grown meat can be labeled kosher and halal as long as its cells are derived in methods compliant with religious standards, according to two panels of experts commissioned by the nascent industry. The opinions are a win for cell-cultivated meat companies, executives said, because it means observant followers of Judaism and Islam could one day consume their products.