Dog Cloning"Dog cloning is a complicated process. A healthy egg is injected with the DNA of the dog to be cloned to create a genetic copy of the original dog. Appearance and behaviors in the dog clone are similar, but not exactly the same. There is a 25% rate of success for this procedure. The cost is $150,000." Cloning a dog is a relatively new science. Cloning differs from human cloning in that a dog's reproductive system is more complex than the human reproductive system. The DNA from the original dog is used to help create a puppy that is similar to the original. A great way to think about it is in creating an identical twin. The two are similar in appearance, have similar personality characteristics, but can differ in some ways. Cost of Cloning a DogThe cost for cloning a dog is $150,000. Payment is only due if the company, RNL, was able to clone the DNA sample of the original dog.Dog Cloning ProcessTo clone a dog eggs are harvested from a healthy female dog during the 2x a year that she is in heat. During this period there is a 1 hour window when eggs are captured at exactly the right time as determined by a blood test, from the fallopian tupes.The eggs are then changed by removing their nuclei, the part of the egg that determines the genetics of the dog. DNA taken from the dog to be cloned is obtained using a swab of the mouth and stomach. This material is then inserted in the eggs that were harvested. The egg is then placed in a surrogate female dog who will carry the egg through birth. Cloning Information ResourcesBoth ABC News on Good Morning America and CBS Early Show have done stories on canine cloning.Canine Cloning Success RateCloning a dog has a 25% rate of success. The negatives of cloning are what happens to the fetus's that do not make it through the cloning process.Cloning CompaniesA company in the United States, BioArts International, after initially finding success, has decided to no longer clone dogs due to what they term as patent infringement by a Seoul, Korea company named RNL.RNL Bio is the marketing arm of Seoul National University scientists led by Professor Lee Byeong-chun, who was a member of the pioneer in the field, stem cell scientist Hwang Woo-suk's research team. Note that Hwang Woo-suk is considered to be a disgraced scientist for falsifying results, although Professor Lee was the team specialist for dogs.
From Dog Cloning to Dog Health Guide Home
|
