Dog Cloning Will Not "Recreate" Beloved Companion

The world’s first pet cloning service is to offer animal lovers the chance to recreate their dead companions, it was announced today. South Korean company RNL Bio will work alongside scientists who created the first cloned canine.

A company spokeswoman said it was already working on its first order from an American who wanted a clone of her dead pit bull. The client, Bernann McKunney, of California, was very attached to the pet because it had saved her life during an attack by another dog. Kim Yoon said that ear tissue from the dog had been preserved at a US biotech laboratory before its death.DNA from the sample could now be used in an attempt to create a clone, she said, although the chances of success were about 25%.

RNL Bio is charging customers $150,000 (£75,000) for the clones, which clients pay only after they receive their new pet.

But it won’t be the same dog. It might have the identical genetic makeup, but it will be an entirely different individual that might not even have the same markings or personality, since much of what an animal (or human) becomes results from envorinment beginning in the womb and on into life, as well as on genetics. Moreover, trying to clone the dog could become a form of abuse since reproductive cloning often leads to terrible defects and birth anomalies. It could also kill the birth mother since some cloned embryos develop into gigantic fetuses.

Besides, as they say, you can’t go home again. That special bond that is so desperately missed was unique and cannot be replicated. Wouldn’t it be better instead to give another dog that needs a loving home a chance at a good life instead of longingly trying to use the alchemy of biotechnology to recreate that which was a one and only?