A transgenic construct containing the sequence encoding Cre recombinase under the control of the human beta hemoglobin (HBB) promoter, intron 2-enhancer fragment, and the human beta hemoglobin locus control region (LCR) was introduced into C57BL/6 donor eggs. Founder line 12 was established. Cre recombinase expression is detected in blood, brain, gonads, spleen and liver by RT-PCR analysis and in blood by RNAse protection assay. Recombination occurs at 50-100% efficiency in erythroid/megakarycytic cell lineages beginning at onset of hematopoiesis at approximately embryonic day 7.5. (J:89725, J:137519)