Too precious to let go: The science behind pet cloning

In a twist with echoes of a bizarre sci-fi drama, a Thai woman has enlisted the help of veterinarians to clone her beloved pet dog, which died recently.

Pet-cloning services have emerged across the world to meet growing demand from owners reluctant to part with their furry companions – though the technology comes with a high price tag.

It cost 51-year-old business owner Kanjanarat Sakdikornthanasiri over 6 million baht (US$180,000) and a year of failed efforts before she finally received a clone of her beloved French bulldog, Phaphaeng.

“They look almost alike,” she said of her replicated pooch during a recent TV interview.

She is also convinced that Phaphaeng, who had been with her for nine years, has returned to her, pointing to signs that the cloned dog “remembers” their shared history.

She insists the new pup, which is four months old, knew its way around her luxury house in Ratchaburi as soon as it arrived from Dubai. Also, the cloned Phaphaeng immediately took to the nanny that looked after its predecessor but was indifferent to the new one.

Kanjanarat, who owns 16 other dogs and treats them all like her own children, said she was especially attached to Phaphaeng because they had been through so much together. She nursed the bulldog back to health after it almost died from an illness during puppyhood.

The little dog was constantly at her side as she struggled to set up her businesses, which are now flourishing. Kanjanarat also stayed by Phaphaeng’s side during the pet’s final months.

Kanjanarat Sakdikornthanasiri

“When she died, I held her body all night,” said Kanjanarat, adding that she realised she couldn’t simply let Phaphaeng go. Her next move was to call Dr Supasek Sarachitti, a veterinarian and expert in animal cloning.

What does cloning entail?

Supasek said before he agreed to clone Phaphaeng, he asked its owner two questions: “Who would take care of the cloned pet if Kanjanarat dies?” and “Could she handle the public criticism that would follow the cloning?”

While people acknowledge that deep bonds can develop between owners and their pets, many remain sceptical about the anthropomorphisation, or humanization, of these four-legged creatures.

Kanjanarat said that after assuring the veterinarian over both questions, cells were collected from the deceased dog’s ears. The cells were then refrigerated and transported to a laboratory in Dubai, where the cloning took place.

The procedure – which saw the creation of a genetically identical embryo and its implantation in a surrogate mother – was overseen by controversial cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk.

Credited with perpetrating the largest scientific fraud in living memory in 2005 over faked human embryo cloning, Hwang is also recognised for a major breakthrough in stem-cell research and for creating the world’s first cloned dog, Snuppy.

Supasek said that while cloned dogs are usually delivered within three months, Paphaeng’s case was far more complicated. It was only after several attempts that a “viable” copy was created.

The standard fee for services provided by the Hwang-led team is $100,000. However, due to the complexity of Phaphaeng’s case, Kanjanarat was charged an additional $50,000.

Kanjanarat also paid 100,000 baht to Supasek’s Crystal Pet Hospital, which delivered the cells to South Korea and transported the clone back to Thailand.

Supasek noted that cheaper options are available, with pet-cloning services in China costing about $50,000.

Not the first

Despite reports to the contrary, Paphaeng is not the first cloned pet in Thailand. But it became the first to make headlines, after her owner shared the experience with her large following on Facebook and TikTok.

Supasek revealed he has been working with Hwang’s team for the past seven years, sending them a few cases every year.

“If you never want to lose your pet, you can clone it by collecting cells while they are still alive or no more than five days after their death,” he advised.