Cats can now have more than nine lives thanks to a Californian company that is the first US firm to go commercial and offer the public a pet cloning service.Five customers have already parted with $50,000 each for a copy of their cats.
Genetic Savings & Clone says work will start in May to clone the animals, with the first kittens arriving by November if the procedures prove successful.
While I would love if Rainbow lived forever, a clone wouldn't be her -- just a look-alike that wouldn't have the same social skills the original had, unless you could duplicate her experiences from kittenhood.
For $50,000 dollars you can get a wonderful free cat from the local shelter and still have all the money left to donate to various animal welfare societies...
Posted by Jeff Soyer at April 30, 2004 08:39 AM
"For $50,000 dollars you can get a wonderful free cat from the local shelter and still have all the money left to donate to various animal welfare societies..."
or blow on a round-the-world cruise--
or a few good weapons--
while still donating a big chunk to your favorite animal charity!!
Agree on the cloning- all you get is physical appearance. Of course, for some people this may be enough. I'd rather my pets live a full life with me, and when they pass, they will still live on in my memory.
Posted by: Phil Winsor at April 30, 2004 05:54 PMAbsolutely, Phil. Animals, and people, are the sum of their experiences on Earth. You can bake two cakes from identical molds, but it's in the batter, the cooking, the care you took that determines how they turn out. Enjoy your wonderful pet. A copy is just a copy. Think of your original...
Posted by: Jeff Soyer at April 30, 2004 10:17 PM