Overview
- Colossal Biosciences announced the acquisition of Viagen and said the pet‑cloning firm will continue operating under its current leadership.
- Viagen offers dog and cat cloning for about $50,000, a service used by celebrities including Tom Brady, Barbra Streisand and Paris Hilton.
- Producing clones is restricted in the UK and EU, so UK firm Gemini Genetics banks tissue locally and works with US partners; it holds roughly 6,000 samples and says about 50 customers have gone ahead with cloning.
- Scientists note that mitochondrial DNA, developmental randomness and environment mean a clone’s temperament and behavior will differ from the original animal.
- Conservation groups and researchers are testing cloning to boost genetic diversity in endangered species such as the black‑footed ferret, even as animal‑welfare organizations criticize pet cloning as unnecessary.