The Scoop: I’m not ready for pet cloning
One of the great decisions a number of us will soon face is whether to clone our pets. Since history has been made, and a Texas A&M veterinarian has cloned the world’s first cat, I expect the floodgates to burst open and lead to pet cloning across the nation.
Some prognosticators say commercial pet cloning could be available on a limited basis by the end of this year. That said, I figure it will take no more than five years before pet cloning finds its way to Nashville and maybe 10 years before vets can perform the procedure right here in McMinnville.
Just think of the possibilities down the road. Instead of having to get a new dog every so often, we can have the same dog our entire lives. Instead of having to explain to little Billy why the dog won’t be coming home because he got hit by a car, you can have a spare dog waiting in the shed. Billy will never know the difference.
Of course you’ll have to be careful to properly space your pet cloning so as not to be overrun with animals. I don’t think I could stand it if I had two dogs who liked to jump the fence or had two cats who meowed at my window at 3 a.m. One dog and one cat are enough for me.
Even though commercial pet cloning has yet to hit the market, it’s not too early to get in line. There’s a company, aptly named Genetics Savings and Clone, which will store samples of your pet’s DNA until cloning facilities become available. To avoid being pushed to the back, you can register right now at www.savingsandclone.com.
I should, however, mention one sticking point about pet cloning. You better bring your checkbook and it better have plenty of zeros to indicate thousands of dollars because pet cloning isn’t cheap. In fact, it’s about as expensive as a new SUV with leather seats and four-wheel drive.
Just the cloning costs, when technology is refined, is estimated around $20,000. And Genetics Savings and Clone charges $895 up front, plus $100 a year, to store your pet’s DNA.
That eliminates me as a candidate for pet cloning. I’m an animal lover, but I do have my limits.
I had to stop and think long and hard when our cat needed about $400 worth of surgery last year. I even thought about cutting corners and trying to perform the procedure myself. The worst thing that could have happened, I told myself, is the cat could have died on the operating table and I’d be $400 richer.
Actually the worst thing that could have happened is some animal activist group could have gotten word of my plan and had me thrown in jail for animal cruelty. But before I’m classified as Cold-Hearted Man of the Year, let me say I did shell out the $400 and the cat remains alive today.
There have, however, been several problems since the surgery, the main one being I tend to treat that cat better than most things I own. I figure since I’ve got $400 invested in the cat, he’s worth more than my TV.
I’d almost be afraid to see how I’d act with a $20,000 cloned cat. I’d probably take him to the vet in an armored car. I’d stand over him when he eats just in case I needed to administer the Heimlich maneuver.
All things being equal, a $20,000 cloned pet is too much responsibility for me. My free dog and free cat work just fine.
Sure I’d like to have my current dog live forever so to speak, but I couldn’t handle the pressure that comes with owning such an expensive animal. Knowing my luck, my $20,000 cat would still need a $400 operation and probably still meow all night at my window. I doubt medical science can help me with that problem.
(James Clark is editor of the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].)