When 6-8 million companion animals isn’t enough

I am disgusted.

James Symington, a retired Canadian police officer, received a “prize” of five puppies this week.  But not just any five puppies.  These puppies are clones of his late rescue dog, Trakr, who located the last survivor in the aftermath of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York.  Symington entered an essay contest in 2008 to explain why he thought Trakr was worth cloning.

First, there are contests to clone companion animals?  With an estimated 6 – 8 million animals entering shelters each year we are hardly in need of new companion animals.  Of those 6-8 million animals in shelters each year, 3 – 4 million animals are killed euthanized, costing the US taxpayer an estimated $2 billion to round up, house, kill and dispose of unwanted animals.

The cloning was done at Sooam Biotech Research Foundation of South Korea, led by Dr. Hwang Woo-Suk, known for “producing” the world’s first canine clone.  I could go on and tell you about the cloning but suffice it to say they basically performed animal testing to see which dog would produce the clones.

According to a statement released by BioArts International, Symington was emotional saying:

“They’re identical—down to the smallest detail…  Few dogs are born with exceptional abilities—Trakr was one of those dogs. And if these puppies have the same attributes as Trakr, I plan on putting them in to search and rescue so they can help people the way Trakr did.”

My attention is drawn to the word “if”.  If the dogs have the same attributes.  But there is no guarantee that they will.  The Humane Society of the United States has this to say:

“For those looking to replace a lost pet, cloning will not create an animal identical to the one who is gone; cloning cannot replicate an animal’s uniqueness. Cloning can only replicate the pet’s genetics, which influence but do not determine his physical attributes or personality. In fact, a pet’s personality, the specific trait that most owners would like to preserve and the attribute that most endears a companion animal to his family, is the trait least likely to be replicated by cloning. In addition, there is no guarantee the cloned companion animal will even physically resemble the original pet.”

With enough time, energy, and training any companion animal could become the hero that Trakr was.  And with so many unwanted animals in this world that need help it is unneccessary to create more.  We have 6-8 million animals already to choose from.  Just visit your local shelter and see for yourself.

via peoplepets.com