The Future is a lot closer than we imagine.
Cloning has always been the kind of conversation that puts that stark divide on medical ethics. Still, it never deterred its proponents to test its promise.
A couple from Yorkshire, UK, saw this “future” unfold right before their eyes when cloning saved them from their grief.
Laura Jacques and Richard Remde lost their dog, Dylan.
They were devastated when they lost their 8-year-old boxer to a brain tumor. They thought they’ll never see Dylan ever again until they learned of a company halfway across the globe.
A South Korean biotech firm offers a controversial service. If they can save some of Dylan’s DNA, maybe he’ll be born again.
Jaques and Remde shelled out $100,000 to clone their late dog.
Right after Dylan died, Remde preserved his body. Sooam Biotech Research Foundation, the company that offers commercial dog cloning, advised them to refrigerate the body but not to freeze it. This will enable them to get the best DNA samples.
Remde personally flew to Seoul twice to deliver the DNA samples. It was then implanted into dog eggs that had their nucleus removed. With a series of electric shocks, the scientists were able to trigger cell division. Finally, it was implanted to a surrogate mother.
Twelve after Dylan passed away, Chance was “born”.
The newly cloned pup was delivered via Caesarean section in one of Sooam’s operating rooms.
“After they got him out I still couldn’t quite believe it had happened,” Jacques told The Guardian. “But once he started making noises I knew it was real. Even as a puppy of just a few minutes old I can’t believe how much he looks like Dylan. All the colorings and patterns on his body are in exactly the same places as Dylan had them.”
He might look like Dylan but it’s a “different dog”.
“Clones will be genetically identical but personality could be different based on rearing environment,” explained David Kim, a researcher at Sooam Biotech. “Basically, it’s nature versus nurture.”
#ChancePuppy #Puppy. Look at those eyes! 😍 pic.twitter.com/PXajeyVIDh
— Dylan Dog (@WeLovedDylan) August 12, 2016
“I’m trying to get my head round the fact that this puppy has 100% of the same DNA as Dylan,” said Jacques to The Guardian. “It’s quite confusing but I’m telling myself that Chance is just like one of Dylan’s puppies.
Currently, there are no regulations when cloning pets.
However, the European Parliament voted to outlaw the cloning of farm animals as well.
Hello, Chance #puppy. 2 months old! pic.twitter.com/FxM98pLHHP
— Dylan Dog (@WeLovedDylan) August 12, 2016
The RSCPA also expressed their concern about cloning dogs or pets. They mentioned that there are serious ethical and welfare concerns related to the technology. The process also imposes procedures on other animals that cause pain and distress.
Despite the risks and the controversies, some people are still willing to take the offer.
In fact, Remde knew about Sooam Biotech when he watched a documentary about a competition that the company ran in the UK. The winner of the competition can have their dog cloned free of charge.
Rebecca Smith, the winner, had her dachshund Winnie cloned.
Sooam Biotech has produced more than 700 dogs for commercial customers.
Watch how a couple “resurrect” their dog with a price tag of $100,000.
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