In Spain, there are over 28 million pets, with 15% considered as family members. This deep bond makes the loss of a pet particularly challenging for owners.
Recent advancements in science have made it possible to clone pets, transforming what once seemed like science fiction into a burgeoning business. The first mammal cloned was Dolly the sheep in 1996, paving the way for cloning in other species.
In Marbella, Spain, Ovoclone has become the first and only clinic in Europe offering pet cloning services. CEO Enrique Criado explains that they can clone dogs and cats for a fee of €55,000. The clinic also preserves cell lines for clients who may wish to clone their pets in the future.
The cloning process involves taking a skin biopsy from the pet and developing fibroblast cells, which are then fused with a donor egg to create an embryo. This embryo is implanted in a surrogate mother, resulting in a clone that is 99.9% genetically identical to the original.
While the cloned pet may look the same, Criado emphasizes that the new animal will not have the same personality or behavior, as these traits are influenced by the environment and upbringing.
Currently, Ovoclone operates without specific regulations regarding pet cloning in Europe, raising ethical questions about the practice. Some experts argue that cloning animals is not ethical, as they are unique sentient beings.
Despite the debates, Criado believes cloning offers hope to pet owners facing loss, and he anticipates that costs will decrease in the coming years, making the service more accessible.