Cloning Like Breeding

It is ridiculous to oppose cloning of pets when breeding is as widely accepted as it is in our culture. Breeding is a process that is completely controlled by humans and has been conducted for centuries. Breeders can choose the features that allow animals to fit their criteria and maximize their potential. Those are exactly the reasons that some pet cloning companies give for creating clone dogs. Thus, if breeding of pets is acceptable to our society, then so must be cloning of pets.

Pet cloning and breeding are similar in that humans control the genetic makeup of animals born through the processes. A website called NetPets says, “Breeds must not be confused with species or even subspecies, which occur naturally under the influence of natural selection...An important characteristic of breeds is that they are created by breeders.” Clone dogs can be described similarly; they are purposely created by man with specific genetic parameters.

Clearly, breeding is genetic manipulation that would not happen without human interference. That does not mean that the process is a bad one. The site goes on to state, “At the very least we should all have clean consciences once again, knowing that we were making our best efforts, using up-to-date genetic knowledge, to produce sane, healthy, robust canine companions.” This article describes dog breeding, but the process is used on other animals and for many purposes. In farm animals, breeding increases efficiency, and in breeding of any kind of animal, the purpose is to ensure that certain genetic traits are passed on.

Just as breeding is useful to humans, so is cloning of pets. Pet cloning, like breeding, allows animals to reach their full potential. Clone dogs, like their bred counterparts, are born with genes to be utilized for specific purposes. Pet cloning will prove to be just as useful to this society as has breeding.