(2003-09-25) -- A team of French scientists today announced it had successfully cloned two rats, in an experiment in which 126 embryos and one rat pup died.

The surviving rats, which the scientists call Jacques and Dominique, seem normal in most respects. However, neither one will walk through a maze unless cheese is provided at every turn.

Having solved the worldwide rat shortage problem, the French scientists next plan to clone roaches and slugs.

"Eventually, we think this technology will produce French citizens," said one scientist. "We think we are quite close to that."