Here is a brief, cute article on the rising popularity of cloning pets in Korea, from National Geographic:
Link to the full article:
National Geographic News Photo Gallery: ANIMAL PHOTOS WEEKLY: Albino Eagle, Cloned Pups, More
Quote:
Seoul, South Korea, July 1, 2008—Who's the cutest? Four puppies cloned from a Labrador retriever pose with researchers at Seoul National University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Two South Korean labs are offering cloning services to pet owners at prices ranging between U.S. $50,000 and $100,000.
Owners of working dogs have been the best customers to date, however. To South Korea's customs service, for example, cloning champion sniffers is a more efficient option than breeding the dogs the old-fashioned way.
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What do you think of when you see those pups?
- What is the reasoning behind anti-cloning regulations?
- Do you think cloning is good? Bad? Or something else?
- Do you view the practice of cloning pets as healthy for their human counterparts? - Will this practice will prevent us from accepting death and moving on?
- Is it acceptable for only working dogs with innate skill, or should cloning be available for ordinary pets as well?
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My response:
I have no personal moral hang-ups over cloning. I would be concerned about senselessly narrowing down a population and cutting out potentially beneficial genes from the pool, but this would not be an issue until cloning hits on a much higher scale. I find the concept healthier than inbreeding, but less healthy than sound traditional breeding practices. I like the concept of natural selection, but I see the benefit of human selection.
We used to joke about cloning our dog because she was perfect for us. Were it available in our country at the time and/or the price not prohibitively expensive, I would have considered the procedure. But, you see, Duchie was a mutt that we picked up from the pound. Some undetermined breed, maybe some mix of cocker and lab. Today, I would not choose to clone her if given the option, simply because I realize there are a bunch of wonderful dogs out there waiting for homes, who won't mind a bit of training.
I don't see any present reason to outlaw cloning. I will not vote to prohibit the practice. I do not understand why cloning mammals does not seem to be regularly permitted in the United States and the E.U. I am likely biased by my education and experience.