Animal Cloning

By Nico Fuhriman

Animal cloning is a reproductive technology scientists use that creates a genetically identical copy of an animal. The first animal effectively cloned was a sheep named Dolly back in 1996. Animal cloning has been a controversial topic for multiple reasons, such as the overall welfare of the animal. There is no justification for cloning animals, you have no way to confirm you will get the outcome you desire for the price you pay. One of the biggest questions about animal cloning is if it is ethical. While looking at the bigger picture the answer becomes apparent and that is no.

People will clone their pets that have passed, and many who clone their animals hope for the same animal personality. However, every animal is an individual which means it has its character. Animal cloning cannot replicate the personality of the animal, it only replicates the genetic makeup of the animal. ​​Pet owners see cloning as a way to “keep” their animals' legacy going, but it is a way of denying your animals death instead of grieving them. Learning to let go and honor a pet’s memory through more compassionate acts may be a healthier and more responsible response.

One of the biggest issues is that there are so many animals in shelters that need a home, which also costs less than deciding to clone a pet . There are millions of animals that come into shelters every year, which some never get adopted (“SHELTER ANIMAL COUNT”).  Cloning can often cost more than $50,000 (Reeder). However, that money can be used in various ways instead of cloning your pet.

Pets should not be cloned, as they are not all, but some cloned animals can have many abnormalities that decrease their quality of life (“Cloning = Cruelty”). In the process of cloning animals, fewer than 5% of cloned embryos usually survive to birth. Many cloned animals have health issues or reduced life spans. These health risks mean that even if the cloning procedure appears to be successful, the animal may suffer long-term consequences. The process of cloning animals can expose the animals to pain, suffering, and distress. The decision to clone your pet after it has passed away is a selfish decision to make. 

The other side of the argument on animal cloning is weighed on the show animal path. Many people clone livestock as it upgrades the overall quality of their livestock and keeps certain traits within their animals (“Cloning factsheet”). Cloning allows farmers to keep the best animals in their herds and makes better show animals (“A Primer on Cloning and Its Use in Livestock Operations”). However, even in these cases, the ethical concerns and risks remain the same. 

Why people choose to clone their pet is something I can’t rationalize in my mind, while obviously some people see the reasoning and justification much better. It is something you should do intense research on and really make sure that’s what you want to do.  However, just because something is scientifically possible does not mean it is right.

Works Cited

“Animal cloning.” Understanding Animal Research, https://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/animal-research-case-studies/animal-cloning. Accessed 12 April 2025.

“Cloning = Cruelty.” Compassion in World Farming, https://www.ciwf.org.uk/our-campaigns/other-campaigns/cloning/. Accessed 12 April 2025.

Hooke, Robert. “Cloning.” National Geographic Education, 1 October 2024, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/cloning/. Accessed 12 April 2025.

Nolen, Scott R. “AVMA.” The ethics debate over animal cloning, 01 February 2007, https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2007-02-15/ethics-debate-over-animal-cloning. Accessed 12 April 2025.

“The people cloning their pets.” BBC, 22 March 2022, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220322-why-dont-we-hear-about-cloning-anymore. Accessed 12 April 2025.

“A Primer on Cloning and Its Use in Livestock Operations.” U.S Food and Drug administration, https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-cloning/primer-cloning-and-its-use-livestock-operations. Accessed 01 April 2025.

“Safety & Health - Animal Cloning.” FDA, https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/animal-cloning. Accessed 12 April 2025.