YouTuber Clones Dog, Draws Criticism

A South Korean vlogger stirred public opinion with her YouTube video titled “My Dog Is Back,” chronicling her reunion with her deceased pet, Tico, through cloning. The video, intended to offer solace to those grappling with “pet loss syndrome”, ignited a fiery debate on the necessity, ethics, and implications of pet cloning.

Source: VICE News/YouTube

The vlogger aimed to mitigate the emotions associated with pet loss by presenting her cloned puppies as a link to her departed dog. However, the response was far from what she anticipated.

Critics swiftly voiced concerns about the biological and ethical ramifications of pet cloning. Beyond sympathy for the vlogger’s grief, detractors argued vehemently against the notion of cloned puppies serving as substitutes for lost pets. They contended that such endeavors disregard the well-being of animals involved in the cloning process, treating them as mere commodities.

The mechanics of pet cloning shed light on the ethical implications. Laboratories harvest living cells from tissue samples of deceased animals, utilizing them to implant DNA into unfertilized eggs extracted from donor dogs. These manipulated eggs are then incubated in surrogate mother dogs until birth. The process, though purportedly aimed at assuaging grief, raises serious ethical concerns regarding animal exploitation and welfare.

Animal rights activists have sounded the alarm on the lack of transparency and regulatory oversight within pet cloning laboratories. Existing legislation, such as the Animal Protection Act, fails to address the intricacies of cloning procedures, leaving a legal void exploited by commercial interests. Calls for legislative amendments to encompass cloning within animal protection statutes have gained momentum, urging lawmakers to safeguard the rights and dignity of animals.

The history of pet cloning is fraught with controversy. From the pioneering work of Professor Hwang Woo Suk to the reported cloning of pets by prominent figures like Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun Hee and singer Barbara Streisand, the practice has garnered widespread attention and scrutiny. Despite the exorbitant costs associated with cloning—a price tag ranging from ₩80.0 million KRW ($60,000) to ₩100 million ($75,000)  KRW—demand persists among pet owners seeking solace in replicated companionship.

In response to mounting pressure, governmental agencies, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, have pledged to address the regulatory gaps surrounding animal cloning. Efforts to amend existing legislation and establish comprehensive frameworks for ethical cloning practices signal a step towards ensuring accountability and safeguarding animal welfare.

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