Wed, August 06, 2008
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It's an emotional introduction for 57 year old Bernann McKinney who is meeting her five cloned puppies for the first time.
Having been devastated after the death of her own pet pit bull, Mckinney is able to smile again.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) 57-YEAR-OLD BERNANN MCKINNEY SAYING:
"What they are doing here is a miracle. It is a miracle for me because I was able to smile again, laugh again and just feel alive again."
But her happiness comes at a hefty price.
.(SOUNDBITE) (English) 57-YEAR-OLD BERNANN MCKINNEY SAYING:
"You know, I had to sell part of my home. You know and I had to make sacrifices and I dream of the day, some day when everyone can afford to clone their pet because losing a pet is a terrible, terrible loss to anyone."
The scientists used a somatic cell nuclear transfer technique. The nucleus of the donor egg is removed and part of the genetic material that McKinney had saved from her dog was injected into the egg.
The cloning was not as straight forward as the scientists had hoped as canines are seen as difficult mammals to clone due to their unpredictable ovulation cycles. But biotechnology company were able to overcome these difficulties.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) RNL BIO PRESIDENT RA JEONG-CHAN SAYING:
"We have judged that our (cloning technology) is ready for commercial use. As of today, we are at the stage of receiving orders from anywhere in the world."
The company is expecting to take more personalised orders and are working alongside the Seoul National University lab to produce cloned dogs that can be used by police and charities at a reduced price.
