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It would seem we can't win for losing ... 01/21/1998 06:43 EST Praise, Condemnation on Cow Cloning By ALISON FITZGERALD -- Associated Press Writer BOSTON (AP) -- Animal scientists offered congratulations. Animal-rights groups offered condemnations. The reactions came after scientists announced Tuesday they had developed a technique for cloning genetically customized calves able to produce medicines for humans in their milk. Drs. Steven Stice and James Robl presented their research on the second day of an International Embryo Transfer Society conference. Other researchers said the calves mark the most viable step so far toward "pharming," the development of pharmaceuticals usingfarm animals. "We're working in the same area toward the same goal," said Dr. Will Eyestone, with PPL Therapeutics in Blacksburg, Va. Animal rights activists were troubled by that goal. "We condemn all who engage in cloning or genetic engineering both human and animal cells for the alleged purpose of furthering pure science," the Massachusetts chapter of Earth First! said in a statement. "The cloning of living cells steps beyond the field of science and into the realm of creation." Hundreds of miles away, 13 pregnant cows are waiting to give birth to cloned calves at a ranch near College Station, Texas. Six will be identical to George and Charlie, the cloned calves born last week. The rest are females, which is where the real payoff will come. <snip> Copyright 1998 Associated Press. All rights,reserved.