Like something out of The Governator's 2000 futuristic action flick The 6th Day, a new biotech startup wants to clone your pet. Mill Valley, California-based BioArts has successfully created three clones of a Border Collie mix named Missy, who moved on to that great kennel in the sky in 2002. Now, through a program called Best Friends Again, BioArts is going to be auctioning five dog-cloning services to the public.
That's right. BioArts is currently accepting registrations for its cloning auction, with the bidding for the first cloning slot starting at $100,000. The auction will take place over the course of five days, beginning July 5, with one slot being auctioned per day through July 9. Additionally, one slot will be given away for free to a deserving applicant.
According to the Best Friends Again Web site, the successful cloning of Missy -- who was the beloved pet of BioArts CEO Lou Hawthorne -- was conducted by South Korean geneticist Dr. Woo Suk Hwang, known internationally for publishing false claims about human stem cell research he conducted in South Korea in 2005. While Hwang's reputation was severely damaged in the 2005 human stem cell scandal, his research into canine cloning (in which his team successfully created the world's first dog clone, named Snuppy, in 2006) remains credible by all accounts.
"I was hesitant at first to work with Dr. Hwang given [his] past problems," said BioArts CEO Lou Hawthorne. "But [I was] also attracted given his undisputed status as the world's foremost master of dog cloning, and so decided to take it one step at a time ... Being a pet cloning company, we are of course believers in second chances."
Elizabeth Wictum, Director of the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory's Forensic Lab at the University of California, Davis, where the DNA of the clones was tested, confirmed that the three pups were indeed a genetic match for the late Missy, and were not a match for the egg donors from which they were born -- results consistent with successful cloning. "Besides," said Wictum, "they look just like her."
BioArts will offer a guarantee on its cloned puppies, which can take up to a year to produce. In addition to a guarantee of good health and resemblance to the original pet, the company promises not to harm any animals it works with in the cloning process. Whether the company will open up its dog-cloning service to the general public after the initial six animals promised in its current offer are delivered remains to be seen. Says Hawthorne: "We are not committing to produce more than the five clones for our auction participants, plus the one clone we're giving away as part of the Golden Clone Giveaway."
--Robert Strohmeyer, PC World
Although some may dispute the ethical nature of this endeavor, lets step back and look at what BioArts has done. In the very beginning it was the mission of a single family to clone their dearly loved dog. Their eventual success led to Best Friends Again, which is offering the cloning of six dogs--total.
As the article alludes to, the cloning of dogs, unlike that of livestock, entails only the highest veterinary and animal care protocols. It?s a relief to me that the dogs? wellbeing is not discounted.
Behavioral similarities are difficult to quantify. Genes influence two key components of behavior?intelligence and temperament. Of course a clone doesn't inherit the memories and experiences of its genetic donor; it's a unique individual, like an identical twin born later. But if a clone is raised in a similar way as its genetic donor, there will probably be behavioral similarities.
Bottom line, BioArts is doing it right.
i want another one of my dog!
Bottom Line - BIOARTS WANTS YOUR MONEY!
Why someone would not negotiate with the Koreans direct instead
of paying a broker (Bioarts) is beyond me. I would
call RNL Bio and see if you can get a better deal. Isn't
this why we offshore to Asia because of the cheap prices?
I remember there was an outfit in S. Calif that was nothing
more than a man and his telephone negotiating a cloning
contract and hoping to make big bucks. That company
went out of business.
Personally, I would wait. I'll bet if this company
stays in business and so far the track record for
cloning companies is dismal, the price will
plummet.