In a heartwarming yet controversial YouTube video titled “My Dog is Back,” a pet owner in South Korea showcases the reunion with her deceased dog, Tico, revealing that the current puppy is a clone made to replace the original. The emotional video sparked a heated online debate as animal rights advocates expressed concerns about the well-being of cloned dogs and the ethical implications of the cloning process.
The pet owner, known for her YouTube channel, sought the services of a pet cloning laboratory after Tico’s accidental death in November 2022. The video narrates how two genetically identical twin puppies were born through the somatic cell nuclear transfer method, aiming to help viewers overcome pet loss syndrome.
However, the revelation stirred debates on the necessity, biological, and ethical aspects of pet cloning. Critics argue that cloning can be dangerous, emphasizing the potential harm in considering a cloned puppy as the reincarnation of a deceased dog.
The cloning process involves obtaining living cells from the deceased animal, harvesting unfertilized eggs from “donor dogs,” and utilizing surrogate mother dogs to carry the eggs to term. Animal rights experts voice concerns about the ethical implications, emphasizing that several dogs may be sacrificed to satisfy the desires of a single pet owner.
Additionally, the lack of transparency within pet cloning laboratories adds to the controversy. Animal cloning is legal in South Korea, but the absence of a regulatory framework raises questions about potential abuse in the cloning process.
South Korea, known for introducing pet cloning to the world in 2005, lacks specific laws addressing animal cloning in the Animal Protection Act. Current regulations on animal testing do not cover cloning for personal or commercial reasons, creating a legal blind spot.
Experts and advocates call for the creation of laws regulating pet cloning, ensuring transparency in the cloning process, and protecting animals from potential exploitation. As the controversy unfolds, discussions within the South Korean government are underway to scrutinize existing laws and make necessary revisions.
The rising demand for pet cloning services, despite the high costs ranging from 80 million to 100 million won ($61,000 to $76,000), underscores the need for ethical considerations and legal oversight in this emerging industry. The debate adds another layer to South Korea’s evolving stance on animal welfare, following the recent passage of a bill banning the butchering of dogs for consumption.
