Cloning Pets?

[ApologiaPhoenix]

I was reading last night "What Philosophy Can Tell You About Your Cat," and got to an essay about cloning cats. The writer was against the idea and I agree. I read though about organizations that for $50,000 will clone your pet for you. I was just saddened as I read that thinking, "It may look the same and it may have the same DNA, but that is not the same animal as the pet you lost. "

One point brought up was identical twins. Rayado and I have friends here who are identical twins. I go bowling with them every Sunday night. I can tell them apart now. They look the same and share the same last name and have the same DNA, but that is where the similarities end. They are quite different in many ways.

The author also pointed out that it's an insult to the memory of the lost pet to try to think you can re-create it. I consider the cat my parents have mine still, although someday I wouldn't object to getting one here. However, when Stormy dies, he's dead. I'll be sad and miss him, but that's the way it is and no one can replace him. The author instead recommended going to a shelter and saving another pet that would face being put to sleep if not brought to a good home. Instead of trying to re-create that which you can never re-create, why not offer your love to someone who's never had the chance?

I'm wondering what other thoughts are on this.

[NeilUnreal]

I agree. There's nothing wrong with the clone of course; it's a being just as if it had been a twin. What's wrong is the notion that we can replace a being with a manufactured duplicate like we would a broken or worn-out commodity. This leads to all kinds of wrong-headed thinking that has nothing to do with the essence of the clone itself.

-Neil

[laffer]

I don't have any ethical objections to the idea of cloning a pet, as long as the result was a healthy animal.

However, I think it would be a huge waste of money, and there are already so many homeless cats. Paying a ridiculous amount of money to create a cloned one is ridiculous.

[Crow]

I'm not sure how you can "insult the memory" of a dead animal by making a genetic copy, or why it would matter if you chose to do so.

I figure that if you want to clone a pet, that's your money and your business. As far as the homeless pets go, it's nice if you want one and all, but everyone doesn't, and take your pick.

[laffer]

I'm not saying it should be illegal (as long as the practice does not cause harm to animals, and the resulting clone is a healthy one).

I'm just saying that personally, I think it's a huge waste of money. If you'd want to spend 50k on getting a clone of some animal you once had.. then that's certainly your business. I just think it's completely ridiculous :lol:

Personally, if I wanted to spend such a crazy amount on animals, I'd rather donate that 50k to some organization helping suffering animals, in the memory of my diseased pet maybe?

[Crow]

At 50 grand I wouldn't waste my money.

If they got it down to $1000, that's a different story. I paid nearly that much for one of my dogs, and I'd do it if they were able clone him successfully because I would know that the inherent qualities the clone possessed would suit my purposes.

I do think that it should be illegal to clone Thirsty Possum. This world has suffered enough.

[Johnny MacManky]

:grin:

[princesa]

I was reading last night "What Philosophy Can Tell You About Your Cat," and got to an essay about cloning cats. The writer was against the idea and I agree. I read though about organizations that for $50,000 will clone your pet for you. I was just saddened as I read that thinking, "It may look the same and it may have the same DNA, but that is not the same animal as the pet you lost. "

One point brought up was identical twins. Rayado and I have friends here who are identical twins. I go bowling with them every Sunday night. I can tell them apart now. They look the same and share the same last name and have the same DNA, but that is where the similarities end. They are quite different in many ways.

The author also pointed out that it's an insult to the memory of the lost pet to try to think you can re-create it. I consider the cat my parents have mine still, although someday I wouldn't object to getting one here. However, when Stormy dies, he's dead. I'll be sad and miss him, but that's the way it is and no one can replace him. The author instead recommended going to a shelter and saving another pet that would face being put to sleep if not brought to a good home. Instead of trying to re-create that which you can never re-create, why not offer your love to someone who's never had the chance?

I'm wondering what other thoughts are on this.

Sure, cloning offers you the physical resemblance, but the personality, the quirks, and most especially the memories held dear (which prompted the clone) are absent. Cloning for the purpose of filling the void of a lost pet doesn't strike me as being a particularly genius idea when this clone doesn't cuddle the way Barfy used to or doesn't scratch his ear with that funny grin on his face etc....

$50K to clone your pet? Well, there IS a sucker born every minute from what I hear.

[NeilUnreal]

...and most especially the memories held dear (which prompted the clone) are absent.

Precisely; five pearls.

If people were to clone the pet based purely on a desire for its innate charateristics, that's OK. However, as you point out, most people -- especially those willing to pay $50K -- are no engaged in animal husbandry, they are trying to recreate an experience. And that's not always so good.

I see the same thing happen with people and restaurants. If people want to keep going to a certain restaurant because they like the food, that's well and good. But a lot of people like to return to a restaurant simply because they had a good time there on one special occasion or another, and they're trying to recreate that happiness.

It's OK to have happy memories, and it's OK to stick with something you like. But continually trying to materially chase after happy memories is bound to lead to disappointment. Try too hard at it, and even the original happy memory can become damaged or corrupted.

And that's why I think there are bad reasons to want to clone a pet -- reasons that do an injustice to the original pet.

-Neil

[Gabby]

Just spend a year or two involved with the American Kennel Club.........

hmmm I wonder if the AKC will be changing any rules