Animal cloning has been in the news for many years. Dolly the sheep was the first star in the world of animal cloning. In 1996 researchers at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland successfully cloned Dolly from part of a mammary gland. She lived to be six years old and produced six lambs.
What are the arguments in favor of animal cloning? Some scientists say cloning may eventually become a viable tool for preserving endangered species. It may also be important in the future production of transgenic (genetically modified organism) livestock.
Another potential use for cloning, according to some, is xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of organs, tissues or cells from one species to another. This type of transplantation would allow for the use of organs cloned and genetically altered in pigs and other animals to be transplanted in to humans.
I have to admit; I don’t know much about the details or success involving either of these two arguments for animal cloning. I would understand a wildlife biologist being in favor of animal cloning. I would also understand someone in need of an organ transplant being a huge supporter of animal cloning.
What I do know about is the reality of pet overpopulation. Over the past few years I have read stories in the news about people who have cloned their beloved pet. Each time I read one of these stories it really irked me.
The most recent article is about a woman, Bernann McKinney, who cloned her pet pit bull terrier. Ms. McKinney lives in Hollywood, CA and paid $50,000.00 to have her deceased dog cloned by a company in Seoul, South Korea. The result is five puppies born a few weeks ago.
My first question is why more puppies? In a world with way too many puppies and kittens being born than there are homes, what benefit would five more puppies bring? Ms. McKinney plans to keep three and donate two to work as service dogs for the handicapped or elderly. She currently lives with five other dogs and two horses.
My next question is why $50,000.00 and how else could that money have been used? Considering the cost of surgery, as many as 400 dogs could be spayed or neutered. This would save literally thousands of lives.
What could the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County or the Food Bank of East Alabama do with $50,000.00? I could go on but I think you get the point.
I want to point out that there is a distinction between animal cloning and pet cloning. Animal cloning might have humanitarian uses, I really don’t know enough to support it or not. Pet cloning is simply selfish and serves no real purpose but satisfying the pet owner.
I want to know what you think. Go to our Web site at www.leecountyhumane.org and take our poll. This column is also posted on our Web site. If you are so inclined, leave a comment at the bottom.
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Jack Fisher- Member, Board of Directors
I wouldn't have any of my pets cloned because each pet is unique and different and just because I loose that one pet doesn't mean cloning will bring it back. You know?
Posted by: Nevis | August 11, 2008 at 09:39 AM