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December 2, 2008 10:21:02 AM CST

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Woman Orders Clone of Beloved Dog for $150K

Posted Feb 15, 08 10:57 AM CST in World,  Business,  Science & Health 

(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.

Sources BBC, Reuters

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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...   (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,...   (Getty Images)
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dog • South Korea • pets • cloning • pit bull • cloned pets • RNL Bio


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