You Can Now Pay to Have Your Dog Cloned in South Korea

What if you could bring your beloved dog back to life?

Not just in memory, but in the flesh—a perfect genetic replica of your furry companion.

Thanks to Sooam Biotech Research Foundation in South Korea, this isn’t science fiction anymore.

For $100,000, you can clone your pet, extending the bond you shared for a few more years.

Since 2006, Sooam has cloned over 400 dogs, using the same nuclear transfer technique that created Dolly the sheep in 1996.

The process involves extracting DNA from your pet’s cells, implanting it into an egg, and placing it in a surrogate dog.

Within months, you’ll have a puppy that’s genetically identical to your original pet—though, as with identical twins, there may be slight differences in appearance or personality.

For some, the price tag is a small price to pay for more time with their best friend.

Take Peter Onruang, a US businessman who cloned his two dogs, Wolfie and Bubble, after their passing.

“Am I happy? More than I could ever possibly imagine,” he wrote on Facebook.

But is cloning pets a miracle of modern science—or a step too far?

Cloning Isn’t Just About Love—It’s About Ethics

At first glance, pet cloning seems like a heartwarming solution for grieving pet owners.

After all, who wouldn’t want more time with their best friend?

But here’s the twist: cloning isn’t as simple—or as ethical—as it seems.

For starters, the process raises serious questions about animal welfare.

Cloning requires multiple surrogate dogs to carry the embryos, and not all attempts are successful.

Many cloned animals suffer from health issues, and the surrogate mothers endure invasive procedures.

As Erin Brodwin of Business Insider points out, “The ethical implications of cloning are complex, and the practice has sparked significant controversy.”

Then there’s the issue of false hope.

While a cloned dog shares the same DNA as the original, it won’t have the same memories, personality, or bond with its owner.

As Insung Hwang, a biologist at Sooam, explains, “The dog will not be 100 percent the same—the spots on a Dalmatian clone will be different, for example.”

This raises a critical question: Are we cloning pets out of love—or out of an inability to let go?

How Pet Cloning Works

The science behind pet cloning is both fascinating and complex. The process, known as nuclear transfer, involves several steps:

Cell Extraction: A few cells are taken from the pet to be cloned. These cells are reprogrammed to stop growing.
DNA Transfer: The nucleus (containing the DNA) is removed from one of these dormant cells and injected into an egg from another dog. The egg’s original nucleus is removed beforehand.
Activation: The egg is zapped with electricity, triggering it to form a new cell that can divide and develop into an embryo.
Implantation: The embryo is implanted into a surrogate dog, who carries it to term.

If all goes well, the surrogate gives birth to a puppy that’s genetically identical to the original pet.

The Controversy Surrounding Sooam Biotech

While Sooam has gained international attention for its pet cloning services, it’s also faced significant criticism.

The lab’s founder, Woo Suk Hwang, was once a celebrated scientist but was later disgraced for falsifying research on human embryo cloning.

Expelled from Seoul National University and facing criminal charges, Hwang’s past casts a shadow over Sooam’s work.

Despite this, the lab continues to operate, cloning around 15 puppies a month.

For many, the ethical concerns are outweighed by the emotional benefits.

As Peter Onruang put it, “All those that said I would be disappointed were all wrong.”

What Does the Future Hold?

Pet cloning is just the beginning.

Sooam is also exploring the possibility of cloning mammoths, raising even more ethical and scientific questions.

If we can bring extinct species back to life, should we?

And what are the implications for biodiversity and ecosystems?

These questions highlight the broader debate surrounding cloning technology.

While it offers incredible possibilities, it also comes with significant risks and ethical dilemmas.

What It Feels Like to Clone Your Pet

For those who choose to clone their pets, the experience is deeply personal.

Peter Onruang’s story is a testament to the emotional impact of cloning.

After losing Wolfie and Bubble, he went to extraordinary lengths to preserve their memory, even storing their bodies in wet towels in the fridge until he could get them to Sooam.

Three years later, he brought home their clones—Wolfie Bear, Wolfie Girl, Bubble Face, and Bubble Rubble.

While they weren’t exact replicas, they brought him a sense of closure and joy.