Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Woman Orders Clone of Beloved Dog for $150K

Korean company says it's the first commercial order for a cloned canine

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Feb 15, 2008 10:57 AM CST

(Newser) – A California woman has placed the first order for a cloned dog with South Korean biotech firm RNL Bio, pledging $150,000 for a genetic duplicate of her dead pitbull, Booger, who once saved her from a dog attack, reports the BBC. Seoul National University scientists, who produced the first cloned canine in 2005, will use tissue from Booger’s ear.

It’s the first time a dog has been cloned for commercial use. The company says it can produce 30 dogs a year but expects to be able to deliver 200 a year by 2010, dropping the price as cloning technology improves to less than $50,000 per puppy. The Korean Customs service is planning to order cloned drug-sniffing dogs from RNL.

Lee Byeong-Chun (C) a veterinary professor of Seoul National University, and his researchers show three female genetically identical Afghan Hound clones: Bona (L), Hope (C) and Peace (R) at the university's Veterinary School on December 18, 2006 in Seoul, South Korea. Lee, a former key collaborator of disgraced South Korean...
Lee Byeong-Chun (C) a veterinary professor of Seoul National University, and his researchers show three female genetically identical Afghan Hound clones: Bona (L), Hope (C) and Peace (R) at the university's...   (Getty Images)
Three female genetically identical Afghan hound clones sit on a lawn in front of Seoul National University's Veterinary School on December 18, 2006 in Seoul, South Korea. A California woman has paid $150,000 for a clone of her pet pitbull terrier.
Three female genetically identical Afghan hound clones sit on a lawn in front of Seoul National University's Veterinary School on December 18, 2006 in Seoul, South Korea. A California woman has paid $150,000...   (Getty Images)
Lee Byeong-Chun (C) a veterinary professor of Seoul National University shows Bona, one of three genetically identical Afghan Hound clones at the university's Veterinary School, December 18, 2006 in Seoul, South Korea.
Lee Byeong-Chun (C) a veterinary professor of Seoul National University shows Bona, one of three genetically identical Afghan Hound clones at the university's Veterinary School, December 18, 2006 in Seoul,...   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Iran Pushing to Ban Dogs as Pets

Condo Spends $100K Trying to Evict Dog ... and Loses

Wives Say Dogs Listen Better Than Husbands

Pet Cemetery Exhumes Deadbeat Dog

Dogs, Whales Display Special Connection


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne