Re: Attack of the Clones

The $50,000 could have really helped out animal charities and organizations who need it so much. I understand the love and connection between pets and people (I love my dogs dearly), but I would never clone them. Every dog I've had is unique and special in their own way and brings something different to my life.

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I agree, even though I've loved all the dogs I've had in my life, I would never clone one just to "keep it longer". In the end all 5 of these pups will probably get cancer. Which is sad. She could have help oodles of animals with $50,000, but she will never experience that satisfaction.

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Yes, it's a weird idea isn't it. To attempt to destroy death by science. Those puppies are NOT her dog! They will be their own little souls. And I think the price tag is really sickening. There are soooooo many good causes that money could have gone to...

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I, too, agree that the money could have helped so many pets in need. I do understand wanting to hang onto our beloved pets. It's difficult to part with them.
But like children, each one is different and special in our life. So many, that are already here, have no one.
Again, I understand the concept but would never want to do it.

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I can understand that this woman is grieving,but therer are so many dogs out there that needs homes and I would have spent that money to feed and transport homeless dogs to happier places thatn where they are. I would have spent another part of that money to stamp out animal abuse and child abuse.

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I totally agree, so many that need homes are destroyed every day. Maybe your new pet isn't what your prior one was, but it will be it's own soul and will have wonderful points of it's own. Death may not be a welcome part of life but it is a reality and one everything and everyone will face. Cloning seems to be an attempt to avoid death and, unfortunately, it just won't work.

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So far i agree with everything that everyone else has said. The money could have been spent so much more wisley. And even thought that woman is trying to keep her dog around for as long as possible with these clones, they just won't be the same.

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There are COUNTLESS pit bulls in shelters and she spent $50k to clone? I'm in total disbelief.

When I think of how many dogs out there are in need of a good home--so many that are being put down because there is simply NO room--it makes me angry. What guarantee is there that these dogs won't get cancer too?

I can sympathize with her loss, but her actions strike me as selfish.

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When my Bailey died a few years past I was devastated. However, I would not have him cloned. There are whole bunch of animals who need homes and have their own uniquenesses that make them special.

This lady made a decision that went on since my Bailey died. I'm originally from California and somewhere up north they cloned animals. (Bailey died in 2004). Some people do not want to let go and have that desperation. It was her money so she had the right to use it however she pleased.

Hopefully, she'll treat them like individuals because even though they look like her dog.......individuality stands out and will forever.

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Only God can make a dog. Even though clones ae suppose to be the exact replica of the orginal that to me still would not be the same. Also it would have both the good and bad things including diseases.

I'm sorry for her lose but we have all lost our beloved pets at sometime and I just want to have pictures and memories of them.

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I feel she probably did this out of love and a little bit of guilt. Face it, we all feel guilty when one of our loved ones dies, human or animal, and try to think of all the things we might have been able to do differently. But I agree with fordsuperchick and all the rest as a clone their chances of getting cancer is probably greater and just because she knows the real one had cancer doesn't mean they will catch sooner. So much money that could have helped so many.

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I must admit, when I lost my beloved Maggie, the thought whizzed through my mind, and that was nine years ago. It's never entered it again. I couldn't and wouldn't do that to an animal. There are too many abandoned and sheltered critters to adopt who need so much love and can have their lives changed forever with a friendly smile and a belly rub saying "I love you, I want you, we're 'us' now." I also agree, that money could have gone a long way to helping an animal organization. Sad.

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I don't understand the whole want of a cloned dog concept anyway--just because it looks like your late dog, it's simply not the same dog...In this lady's case--5 dogs??? (Wouldn't one "identical" clone have been sufficient???) 50K??? I agree with the majority--what a waste of money that could've potentially saved so many needy pups...individual, beautiful, lovable, special, deserving, needy pups...

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Speaking of money, I PRAY this woman did NOT do this for publicity - after all she can make that 50,000 back on interviews, magazine articles, etc.. I am so concerned for these puppies. I was under the impression that cloned animals could suffer from a host of medical, possibly psychological problems. Why would anyone want to meet their own needs at the possible health expense of an infant animal?

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Obvious to me this is one woman who has more $$ than she has sense!

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I loved everyone of my dogs, but I would never clone any of them. The shelters so desperately need the money to save a far greater number of animals. The memory of your cherised pet will live forever in your mind and heart. I feel sorry for her.

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I agree with everyone. I would never try to clone any of my dogs. They all have had a special place in my heart. I actually think it was selfish of her to do that because there are so many homeless dogs that she could have helped. All she had to do was adopt one and create new memories rather than try to preserve the memories of the doggy that has passed.

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I also agree with alot of you. She should of helped a lot of animals in the shelters.

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I don't think you should play God! It's not up to us to do something like that. I also lost a very special dog this year and a cat last Nov. It broke my heart. Cloning them is not the same. I will always miss Anna and Jasper. I got a new puppy that is the same type as Anna. I still think about Anna but I'm in love with this one too. She has helped me through it. Just because God gives us the brains to do these things doesn't mean we should. We make choices. She made the wrong one. I understand wanting that special pet back. It hurts! We need to realize that just like people, animals don't live forever.

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My 2 cents. Some here are stating this is a mortality issue. Not everybody believes in God. Some people are not interested in adopting or contributing to shelters. Some may contribute but still want this.Some do not have the compassion that most of us dog enthusiasts have. This is the world we live in today, this is the tecnology we have today. These procedures today could very well help save a family member in the future.Our great Animal Attraction site brings animal lovers together. Some are not animal lovers like we are. Would I do this? Most likely not. I'm sure I could find a dog that would be equally a good companion for me as a dog I have cherished before.
I'll say one thing though. If everyone starts cloning past"champion" show dogs. that's the end of dog shows! Breeders are obsolite. Then maybe the long affects of cloning start to appear, and the dog is ruined for good.
Frank

Re: Attack of the Clones

I agree. This is unethical and unnecessary. And I would add also inhumane. While the cloaning process was in it's experimental research phase, I've no doubt that countless numbers of animal fetus' were aborted and unacceptable live births destroyed. I doubt that the adult animals that were used in the experiments were treated little better either. This is not an arena for true animals lovers. In my opinion, not only did this woman spend money that could have been put to better use in animal charity, she and others like her also have the lives of the experimental animals as black marks on their souls. No amount of personal grief or money in the world can justify that kind of abuse.

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It's sad to think of all the homeless and sick animals that the $50,000 could have been used for. I loved my Dobie, Flex, more than words can express. I still miss him dearly and think of him often but would never have tried to "replace" him by cloning. He had his own personality and cloning could never match that or replace him. Letting go is hard but cloning is just plain wrong.

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Exactly why are we cloning animals when in the same breath we hunt, slaughter, and put to sleep hundreds of thousands of animals?! She cloned her pit but those puppies will NEVER be the dog that she lost. It's like twins - they may look alike but they have their own personality. Has this woman not kept up with the times? Where was she when the ASPCA did the Michael Vick raid? A lot of those dogs got rehabilitated and are up for adoption. What city doesn't have a pitbull up for adoption? I have never heard of anything so utterly crazy. I can't say that I am happy for her. I pray for the puppies and hope this stupid mistake of cloning doesn't happen again. There are way too many animals out there are need a good home.

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If she cloned her dog that had cancer won't these pups get cancer too since their genetic make up is the same????

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I would never clone any of my dogs!! I had my pug Taz for 17 yrs. Sure I wish she didn't die but that is part of living. There's way to many animals being put down not only adults but babies! I rescued both my dogs. They are nothing like my Taz was and I would'nt want any other way. They are their own unique selves. $50,000 could help so many homeless animals. Such ashame

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I wouldn't clone my dog anymore than I would clone my 12 year old son who died. The clone may look like the dog, but it could never be him or replace him. I agree, they are unique.

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I agree with everyone here, at least in part anyway. Whereas this woman more than likely did this out of great devotion to her beloved dog, that money could have helps sooo many homeless, abandoned, sick and abused animals to find the kind of life they deserve. Those of you that said these pups are not the same dog as the one she lost, you are correct in that. The chances of these puppies getting the same disease that killed her dog are probably as great if not greater. I too have lost both dogs and cats, but would I "resort" to having them cloned just to have them around for a little longer...no I would not because each animal had his/her own distinct personality and that is what made them special, and by keeping that in your hear and mind always they are never truly gone.
I just pray that ANYONE considering this "procedure" think twice before spending the money, consider doanting that money to either your local rescue shelter or to one of the many organizations out there that also rescue abused and/or abandoned animals, think of how much good that would do, the many many lives it would save and give a new start to.
I can understand this woman's motive just not her reasoning.

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i know they are living animals and i would love them dearly!! but i think i would always be distracked by this, like theyre not natural.... i really dont care for it. creepy.... for science purposes and good of mankind and living things MAYBE, for loved ones no.

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Every person & every living creature has a meaning here on earth. Cloning is not the solution unless it is to help cure cancer or something. But I would never clone a family member or a pet. We are here to live as what we are, We may come back as another form who knows. But there is a great chance that those puppies will get cancer. The other thing she spent so much money on them they could probably out live her incase something happen to her. All that money down the drain. But thats her belief and her guilt. Because if her dog got hit by a car there could of been a greater chance of survival. These pups have a great chance of cancer, yes it would of been nice if she could of help shelters and homeless animals. I would of used that money to open up a shelter for those needing rescued. I believe no one should do that procedure unless there is a chance to cure a disease, cancer or needing extra tissue as long as they aren't bringing another soul into the world like that movie "The Island". I think thats what it was called when they were cloning. I hope she feels she made the right decision. All she needed was one pup not 4 others....It is upsetting to hear this...

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quick question... remember the sheep "Dolly" they cloned? How long did she live? What about the kitten? Did it have some sort of nerve issue? Now how can it be to spend that kind of money on an animal (love my dogs) if they "may" live a year or 3. To many to save and not enough resources to do it and then there are people like that who have entirely to much money to spend on (no offense)a dead dog. I agree with DAD on the "understand this woman's motive just not her reasoning". I love and have loved all my fur babies and would never want any harm to come but life is a game no one and nothing gets out of alive. Sorry to all you babies out there who could have used the money more.

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I can see everyone here has noted that all that money could have gone to much better causes. I respect how much this woman loved her dog, but no one lives forever. Alas, not our pets either. There's one thing that anyone thinking they love their pet so much that they would clone it to keep it forever doesn't understand is the one fatal flaw no seems to take into account. The clone will not be the same animal. I love Nerys dearly, but a clone of her will not be her. She was born feral, the runt out of four kittens. I was probably the first human being see ever saw. Certainly the first to touch her. A clone of her will never have the same experiences of Nerys' first five weeks so her clone will not have the same foundation to the cat Nerys is today. We all know that our pets have personalities and I know that Nerys' started as that tiny feral kitten. The smallest of Mamma's litter of four. Mamma too has her own personality, that she influenced her kittens with. I know very few people will read this note, but I wanted to write it to show someone else the one thing we all know deep down can never be cloned - "who" our pet is.

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I'm speechless with this !!!!!!

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Absolutely the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!
I agree - why didn't she get another dog - either from a breeder or as many people have said a homeless shelter. Maybe she could have donated the funds to a shelter or cancer research instead.

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I agree with basicly all things written so far. Personally I think she must be mental! That dog(s) will be an exact genetic replica of her lost pet, but what makes an individual unique is their UPBRINGING and ENVIRONMENT. Those puppies will never go through exactly what her dog went through to make him unique!
The money could have been put to better use and she could have made a home for some other dog(s) that needed a home...
So very sad.

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Goodness! Aren't there already enough dogs in the world who need good homes?!!! Of course! Why not just go to a shelter or rescue group and adopt another pit bull, if that's the breed she wants! I think cloning in this case, and most cases, is totally outrageous and unnatural!!

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Goodness! Aren't there already enough dogs in the world who need good homes?!!! Of course! Why not just go to a shelter or rescue group and adopt another pit bull, if that's the breed she wants! I think cloning in this case, and most cases, is totally outrageous and unnatural!!

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Cloning is gross and sacriligious.

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I wouldn't dare mess with any nature. I believe there are too many choices out there. And in the future we will be the ones cloning each other. There has been many movies that are Sci-Fi about human cloning. And I strongly believe that is where it should stay in the Sci-Fi department. Never Ever mess with God.
Right now I have the coolest dog with all the right qualities I could ever want and I can't bring her back when she dies. I will of course breed her and get some awesome pups. But, it just isn't right. I would give anything to have her til I die. But, no. She is indeed the best and maybe one other dog. And I have several nice pedigreed dogs.
A discounted 50,000 price tag could help so many other shelter, abandoned dogs, or children poor, starving, or sick.
Maybe, someone should stop this and donate their money to finding cures to horrible things like cancer.
No Cloning should be within the law anywhere.

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I think she needs therapy -.-

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Read the article!!! It's infuriating. The scientist (if that's what you want to call him) is hoping to clone at least 300 dogs a year. Take the poll, 28% of people said they would clone, and another 14% were unsure which concludes a little less than half would clone. She admitted she has five other dogs and horses already at home, she's only keeping three of the pups. I know the excrusiating pain of losing my furbaby, but I would never clone her. It's unrealistic.

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Genetically these puppies maybe the same as the original. However, their experiences will be different. These experiences will color their personalities. In this respect they will not be the original dog. If "original" was genetically predisposed to cancer ---- the pups will be too. It is such a shame to bring these five little ones into the world with that type of fate awaiting them.
I do understand her grief. Just a few weeks ago I had to have a 13 year old cat that I had helped to deliver put to sleep as her kidneys were going and she was ready. I still cry about the loss. But I know in my heart she would rather I help other animals than try to recreate her.
Just take a walk through your local SPCA shelter. Or other animal rescue organization. There are just too many unloved ones out there.
Granted it was this ladys money and her choice . . . . but in my opinion . . . some people just make really odd choices.

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I can understand this woman's grief, but I think it is so selfish to clone her dog instead of adopting a homeless one that needs love and a home. We spay and neuter our dogs just so there will be less homeless dogs out there, and then someone comes along and pays $50,000 to clone her dog. It just doesn't make sense.

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I can see this is still a pretty hot topic so I'll add a final comment. I respect that it was her money and she can spend it as she wishes, but I think a much better tribute to her beloved dog would have been to give that money to a foundation for rejected Pit Bulls - or start one of her own. She would very likely find another "special" dog who needs her love after being abused or abandoned. If I had that kind of money, that's what I would do.

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I'M SORRY I THINK SHE WAS WRONG, JUST THINK HOW MANY ANIMALS COULD HAVE BENEFITED WITH $50,000.
CHECK OUT AN INTERESTING AOL NEWS ARTICLE ON JOYCE BERNANN MCKINNEY - IT SEEMS SHE HAS A PAST.

SAVING ONE ANIMAL WILL NOT SAVE THE WORLD .... BUT SURLEY, FOR THAT ONE ANIMAL THE WORLD WILL CHANGE FOREVER!

Re: Attack of the Clones

Cloning a beloved pet only brings back the body, not the pet, the pet's personality, not the pet's spirit. Anyone who has ever loved a pet knows how much it hurts to lose them. But she could have gone out and got another pet, that looked like the one she lost, and saved a life. This doesn't bring back her pet. What happens when she realizes that this cloned pet doesn't have the personality of her lost pet.

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I agree with captainandnerys first comment, it's "who" your pet is, not what or who they look like. A clone is a different animal altogether. The chance for genetic problems, continuation of the cancer issue, and the expense should have made her think twice about the whole thing. She didn't save her dog from cancer but it appears that's what she thinks she did.

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One last comment here, aren't dogs often on the menu in Korea? Think about it.

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OMG.....THAT'S AWFUL !!!!!!! All of you already wrote enough about, so all I can add is STUPID, STUPID, STUPID WOMAN !!!
Somebody MUST stop these Korean bastards, and everybody else that wants to play God.....it's immoral.
And yes....one day, when it wont cost so much anymore, this will make it far more easier for Korean, Chinese and so on to have plenty of dogs and cats to eat........SHAME ON THEM! Sorry pals but I must say it...... I HATE THIS PEOPLE AND WOULD LIKE THAT GOD GIVES THEM WHAT THEY DESERVE. Not only to them of course, to EVERYONE that ABUSE animals.

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Genetics are only part of what makes an individual unique, whether that individual has 2 legs or four. The rest of an individual's uniqueness comes from their life experiences - as many more readers have stated, none of these puppies will ever be her old dog. Even twins who are genetically identical, never have the same personalities. What she wants to do is absolutely impossible -- bring an individual back from the dead. She is going to be very disappointed. And, as another reader wisely mentioned, if the cancer that killed her original dog was genetic -- she just created 5 more victims.

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I have loved all my pets (past and present )for very different reasons. Friends should come into our lives for their unique personalities. Even if you could afford this there is no quarantee you will get the same pet and personally I wouldn't want too. I would never want to replace the ones I have lost, thats what keeps them special in my heart.

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Mind-boggling why anyone in this time of companion animal gross overpopulation and mass euthanasia would display such complete selfishness by cloning a deceased dog. It would come as no surprise that a person who possesses such obscene self-absorption could be the very person who exploited a 19-year-old in the 70's. Obviously, this waste of human protoplasm believes the world is hers to manipulate as she so desires ... or maybe (since she purports to be innocent) this new McKinney just be a clone of the old piece of trash?

Regardless, as other (thinking) people have suggested, the $50,000 it cost to clone the dog could have gone to help homeless animals in shelters ... (a friend of mine volunteers at an under-funded shelter in Westchester, NY, that needs blankets, heaters, and donations to help find homes for their animals, including one wonderful dog who has been in a cage for NINE years).

Not only is it SELFISH to clone animals, but it is stupid. Cloned animals are weaker, and more prone to diseases and disorders, and they are (obviously) NOT the SAME DOG as the original. Each animal is an individual with a unique personality and essence.

Shame on our species for utilizing technology in such an irresponsible way.

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HOW IGNORANT AND SELFISH!!!! this woman does not care about dogs!!! She couls have helped thousands of dogs waiting in the death camps (shelters) to get their lethal dose by injection, or be gassed in the gas chambers of poor counties. SHE IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO ANYONE WHO HAS EVER LOVED A DOG. I AM ASHAMED OF HER. I have seen photos of calves who were cloned - the first ones often are born deformed - sometimes the mpther dies in childbirth. SHE MAY NOT BE THE MAD SCIENTIST BUT SHE IS PAYING HIM FOR HIS HELLISH DUTIES. SHAME SHAME SHAME ON THIS SICK INDIVIDUAL, SHE NEEDS TO PICK UP A PHONE BOOK AND LOOK UNDER "M" FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

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Having read all the comments to date, there is nothingfurther I could add except that I will pray for the well being og the puppies, and will pray for enlightenment for the lady involved.