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Why Oppose Cloning?Cloned animals suffer serious health problems and often die.Several published scientific studies indicate that, of the animals who survive gestation and birth,
many die within the first few days of life, suffer from physical deformities and other medical conditions, and/or die prematurely.
Pet cloning also involves the invasive use of several other animals in laboratories who are used as 'surrogate mothers.'
Cats and dogs are repeatedly used in cloning experiments that involve injecting them with hormones, surgically implanting cloned embryos, and removing the
cloned offspring via Caesarian section. Miscarriage is also very common.
The American public is largely opposed to the cloning or genetic engineering of companion animals.Several national polls conducted independently indicated that U.S. citizens overwhelmingly oppose pet cloning.
Cloning cats and dogs will exacerbate the already severe and costly companion animal overpopulation problem in the United States.Millions of animals are euthanized each year, because there are not enough adopting homes for them. Individuals who seek an animal resembling
their own companion animal can visit a local shelter or search a website such as PetFinder.org for animals who
fit their desired profile.
Potential consumers are being misled.Cloning companies are exploiting the tender emotions associated with pet loss. Not only might the cloned animal not resemble
the original animal, but the cloned animal will likely have unpredictable health conditions as a result of the cloning technology. Also, cloned animals will
likely behave differently than the original animals.
Veterinarians are not prepared to treat ailing animals who were born through cloning.General veterinary practitioners have no training about the specialized care required for genetically-altered animals.
The ethical implications of cloning are controversial.There has been little, if any, public debate, regarding the genetic manipulation of animals. Many people are opposed to pet
cloning because it is unnatural and does not benefit society in any way.
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