World's First Commercially Cloned Dog.

[Jeddy]

Saw this ont he news just now, a couple in american (Miami i think) Spent $150,000 getting a korean company to clone their beloved labrador, Lancelot.

I think this is a sign, of how well such procedures are developing, but i feel i should ask youall the question... would you?

Would you resurect a beloved pet if you could?

Personally i wouldnt, a pet, much like a human is a culmination of its life experiences, while it is genetically identical to their old dog, i dont think it will be the same.

Also, there are other implications, if everyone starts cloning their deceased pets, what will happen to animal shelters?

I look forward to seeing what others think.

 

[Dan1025]

Well it's certainly a step forward in terms of scientific progress, but in answer to your question, no I wouldn't if I was given the chance. I agree with you Jed in that it may not be the same as the dog they knew and loved.

I prefer the idea of people adopting animals from shelters that need a good home rather than trying to bring back pets they've already lost. For now at least I think the cost will prevent the procedure become more common, and I'm not sure how many people would choose this option, as I said I wouldn't.

 

[EAS_Intrepid]

150.000 bucks for a dead dog? Oh... my... god...
Some people really have too much money.

Sure it is a scientifical progress, but rather than cloning dead dogs for some rich upper-class people this scientifical progress should be used to help all mankind.
I think we could use a lot more research in terms of therapeutic cloning.
Cloning for reproductive reasons (wether human or animal) should be an absolute NO-GO! There are certain sciences that should be left untouched...
We are doing enough damage with all the weapons research already.

Having said that, I think that producing single organs for transplantations is the best way to use methods related to cloning and manipulating DNA. And I must say that the medical progress made in the 20th century is just amazing.

Concerning dead pets: I agree with Dan.
Besides: Who's gonna guarantee that this cloned labrador has the same behaviour patterns as the "original" one.
"Go to the pet shop, throw your dog on the counter and say 'Gimme another one of these!' and they will give you a dog that looks exactly as your old dog.
Then you won't even have to change the pictures of your dog that you have hanging around the house!" - George Carlin