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Center-Sinai Animal Hospital
Serving the Los Angeles Community since 1969
10737 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 559-3770
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THE PERFECT CLONE
Should I clone my pet?
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Within the next few months pet owners will be
exposed to the opportunity to clone their pets. I was informed so
last week by a representative of a company called "Forever Pet" who
extolled the virtues of this developing science. The initial fees
for obtaining live tissue for cell banking will cost approximately
five hundred dollars and there is a monthly storage fee of $19.95.
The actual cost of doing the cloning is a bit fuzzy at the moment
but the company anticipates that the process will be economically
viable at a cost of around three thousand dollars--- beginning in
the year 2007. To date, a cat has been successfully cloned and a dog
clone may be perfected within a year. So at this point, the company
isn't really a cloning company-- it's in the business of cell
banking, waiting for the day that the actual cloning process is
commercially available.
I pride myself on being a consumer advocate, very protective of my
clients, wary of the scams that are used when the emotional
vulnerability of a pet owner can be exploited. Several interesting
facts emerged from the discussion with Forever Pet. The industry is
not regulated and no licensure of facilities is in place. Most of
the research being done is being coordinated through the veterinary
colleges at the University of Pennsylvania and Texas A&M. Professors
at both institutions confirmed the validity of their research, but
stated that the final product was several years away.
I had been concerned when I was told that more than half the tissue
specimens being preserved for their living DNA had been obtained
from elderly pets on the verge of dying or from pets that had died
within 48 hours of obtaining the tissue. My concern was that this
old DNA would have a head start on deterioration in the bodies of
the new clones thus dramatically effecting their life spans. Happily
the scientists agreed that although genetic material from young
donors was easier for them to grow, the actual effects on longevity
of the clone were minimal.
The Texas researchers were taking the cloning process one step
further. They were trying to purrfect a cat that was hypoallergenic!
They had identified a protein in the saliva of the cat, which they
claim is the primary stimulant for allergic responses in people.
What is more, however, is that they have specifically identified the
gene that produces this protein, and by removing that gene, the cat
would produce saliva free of the protein thus rendering it
non-allergenic.
There is no doubt in my mind that this process will be perfected. I
have no moral objections to cloning as it is the logical extension
of the genetic selection that we presently do to increase the
productivity of our livestock or the function and beauty of our pet
animals. My real concern is whether the expectations arising from
the cloning can ever be truly met. So much of our relationship with
a special pet is dependent on the circumstances in which we find
ourselves. It is no mere coincidence that the pets that I have
bonded with so strongly were an English Bulldog named PIF (Pushed In
Face) who was my constant companion in my single days and the
present love of my life, Fessie (the cutest French Bulldog) who came
on the scene as my wife, Linda, and I became empty nesters. The
excitement and uniqueness that evolves from your relationship with
your pet may be the singlemost argument yet against trying to relive
your past with a clone. As much as I have, and do, enjoy the pets in
my life, it is the distinctiveness of the bond that has me looking
forward to new experiences in the future.
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