Commercial Cloning of Dogs

Apparently it’s been done, and the mitochondrial DNA produces dogs with slight variations on their cloner’s characteristics and demeanors.

In a fantasy world I would love Zoe’s sunny personality to persist into the future, not her obstinate nature or severe hip dysplasia. But if science perfected the dog, where would be the individuality and what makes us love them and them love us?

While I know nearly every facet of Zoe’s mind, she amazes me every day. As she’ll turn five years old this month, I can guarantee she doesn’t know this of me. She is surprising, enthusiastic, loving and very happy, and we call her the “Hipless Wonder” among other names, including “Runty Mutt” and “Noodlehead.”

Zoe should never be cloned, not because of her physical deformity or mentally stubborn characteristics but because she is an individual and should be respected as such. No, she doesn’t wear clothes, only her own fur coat. She is treated well, goes out often and gets the best of food (frozen raw food and organic chicken broth).

While she is the apple of our eyes, another family might not be the right “fit” for everyone. We love our dog dearly and wouldn’t want any dog to go through two hip surgeries where her original hips were removed and she had to grow her own. She can now run fast and corner like crazy through trees and leave bigger dogs at a loss.

She is a challenging mutt that herds and is very determined to get her way. Cloning? No way. Now the cloners would say she’s not perfect. I’d have to say that Zoe is perfect … for us.