Your Corgi forever

[Michael Romanos]

There has been three earth shattering news about dogs within the last few years.

1. All dogs came from just one set of parents that can be (all but) traced back, so that, for example, all wolves, Great Danes and Chihuahuas are related.

2. Dogs of today can live for 27-30 years providing on four elements - genetics, nutrition, fitness and low stress subjectation.

3. dogs can now be cloned.


The cloning of dogs is straight off a current announcement. The question for us is if you can afford it, do you want to have your loved and gorgeous Corgi live for ever ie be cloned for the offspiring to be an exact replica of your favourite baby.

[Cheetah]

You can clone the animal, but what about the soul? I don't believe if I were to clone Shippo, that the copy would actually be him.

I have my pets forever already. That's why I take pictures of them.

[firstrax]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

The question for us is if you can afford it, do you want to have our loved and gorgeous Corgi to live for ever ie be cloned for the offspiring to be an exact replica of your favourite baby.

Knowing that I will be loosing Radar soon the prospect of cloning would be tempting. I don't think I could accurately answer that until I had a definite opportunity.

[Michael Romanos]

I believe that the 'soul' of a dog is transferable through cloning. But I can understand the sentiments from those who would not feel comfortable with an exact replica of one who they have loved so dearly. I would love an exact replica Taylor and not just another pup from Taylor's father, so I'd be all for it. Bring it on.

[KJohnson]

I wouldn't. There is no way even a clone of Westin could end up exactly like him.
I think that (just like humans) a dog becomes who they are through the things they experience. If I had another Westin, I'd definitely do things/treat him differently... so he wouldn't be "the same dog" the second time around.

[Michael Romanos]

There us no need to have the same Corgi second time round because just as you say, things might pan out differently, but the essence of the Corgi you have loved and revelled in his/her intelligence and quirks and temperament and flair etc are repeatable.

[Michael Romanos]

I have to admit a dog has a soul and maybe the very centre of that soul cannot be cloned. I would like to believe that humans will be reunited with their favourite dog/s in heaven if they so desire - so a dog needs a soul in order to qualify.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Cheetah

You can clone the animal, but what about the soul? I don't believe if I were to clone Shippo, that the copy would actually be him.

I have my pets forever already. That's why I take pictures of them.

I agree with you. Besides their soul, you can't clone a personality. That is formed not just from genetics but from life experiences. A cloned puppy would not have the same life experineces so would not have the same personality.

And from the pictures I've seen of cats they've cloned they are not identical to the original. Different color and markings. I thought the idea of cloning was to get the "same" animal. If not then, it's the same as breeding them and IMO, that makes cloning unnecessary.

I'm with you. None of the ones I have can ever be "replaced". I love each for who they are and will love new ones for who they are. I would not consider cloning.


Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

Cloning and breeding do not produce the same results.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Cloning and breeding do not produce the same results.

I didn't say they did. I just said that cloning does not appear to produce an exact replica of the dog/cat you're cloing so why clone?

Seems that if you don't get an exact replica it defeats the purpose and in that case just stick with breeding.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

But Peggy, cloning does produce a replica. - a genetic replica at the very least.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

But Peggy, cloning does produce a replica. - a genetic replica at the very least.

But it's not an exact replica. And most people who would want to clone thier dog want a dog that is an exact replecia. Same markings, size, ect. and that doesn't happen. So I don't see the benefit.

And even if they got the same markings, etc. they're not going to get the same personality since that's not just genetic but formed by the environment the dog grows up in. Without the exact same life experinces you're not going to have the "same" dog. So I just don't see the point.

And IMO, each animal should be loved for who he or she is. Not for who the owner loved before or wants them to be.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

Once they have perfected the art of cloning dogs and make it possible for ordinary people to pay for the process, some points in cloning is this: cloning can produce a later born identical twin - even many years later; cloning can correct faults, for example, if a dog being cloned has a predsiposition to hip dysplasiis, in the process of cloning this disposition can be eliminated.

A cloned Corgi raised in a similar manner as his/her genetic donor will have behavioral similarities.

[behinderhereyes]

I don't think I would ever get a clone. In my opinion it is just like trying to play god and that is just wrong. Also seening a clone of sophie would only make me cry thinking of the real sophie. No dog can replace my baby girl.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Once they have perfected the art of cloning dogs and make it possible for ordinary people to pay for the process, some points in cloning is this: cloning can produce a later born identical twin - even many years later; cloning can correct faults, for example, if a dog being cloned has a predsiposition to hip dysplasiis, in the process of cloning this disposition can be eliminated.

A cloned Corgi raised in a similar manner as his/her genetic donor will have behavioral similarities.

Similarities do not make it identical. People intrested in cloning their pets what THAT pet back. They want and *exact* copy. Personality and all. And that isn't going to happen.

I think it will be quite awhile before they can eliminate "faults". And even then it's going to be what the researchers consider "faults". If they can isolate the genes that cause hip dysplasia then we can use that in breeding too and work towards eliminating hip dysplasia in our breeding programs.

Peggy