Re-pet

GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">From the makers of dogs!</div>Over at <a href="http://www.bestfriendsagain.com/" target="_blank">Best Friends Again</a>, they're auctioning off 5 slots to get your dog cloned. The lowest starting bid will be 100k, the highest will be 180k. They claim they have the world wide exclusive legal right to clone dogs.

Would you have your dead/dying dog cloned?

Comments

  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    edited May 2008
    Hmm so they are going to draw on emotional/unrational decisions with this flawed marketing sheme? Fact is that cloned being will not be the same as you old pet in terms of behavior/memory, so it's not going to magically give our pets eternal life...

    <!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Strong behavioral similarities between clones and donors have also been reported in some species, including both cat and dog.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    *cough* bull###### *cough* marketing

    [edit]
    Might I add that this shows no respect for your pet... It's viewing pets as a disposable thing: "Oh it died? Have it cloned!"
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    Indeed, but people can dream, at least these people hope so.
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1679157:date=May 22 2008, 02:00 PM:name=Gwahir)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gwahir @ May 22 2008, 02:00 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679157"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->They claim they have the world wide exclusive legal right to clone dogs.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Interesting. I wonder how they can stake that claim. It's not like they invented the dog. They may have invented some of the techniques they're using, but if I invent my own, on what grounds could they refuse me the right to clone dogs as I see fit?

    Seems like there's a corporation called Start Licensing that is responsible for this. Information about them is curiously hard to come by. Furthermore, the entire affair sounds anticompetitive, provided Bioarts International's claims hold water. Patenting cloning techniques is one thing, but how does patenting the act of cloning a dog make sense? Doesn't that go directly against the ideas of the free market? If my company can do it using techniques WE invented and cheaper, why shouldn't we be allowed to? The idea of free competition is to ensure that one company doesn't exploit a monopoly to inflate prices beyond what's reasonable. This whole affair seems to award an enforced monopoly to Bioarts International.
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    came across this:
    <a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/97774.php" target="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/97774.php</a>

    so it seems it's based around control of a patent for the process in question, in Korea. Really wouldn't call that a worldwide exclusive legal right...
  • La ChupacabraLa Chupacabra Join Date: 2008-02-25 Member: 63729Members
    edited May 2008
    <!--quoteo(post=1679175:date=May 22 2008, 03:01 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ May 22 2008, 03:01 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679175"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Interesting. I wonder how they can stake that claim. It's not like they invented the dog. They may have invented some of the techniques they're using, but if I invent my own, on what grounds could they refuse me the right to clone dogs as I see fit?

    Seems like there's a corporation called Start Licensing that is responsible for this. Information about them is curiously hard to come by. Furthermore, the entire affair sounds anticompetitive, provided Bioarts International's claims hold water. Patenting cloning techniques is one thing, but how does patenting the act of cloning a dog make sense? Doesn't that go directly against the ideas of the free market? If my company can do it using techniques WE invented and cheaper, why shouldn't we be allowed to? The idea of free competition is to ensure that one company doesn't exploit a monopoly to inflate prices beyond what's reasonable. This whole affair seems to award an enforced monopoly to Bioarts International.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The whole point in patents is monopoly - they give monopoly for public disclosure of the invention for 20 years (which can be increased with Supplementary Protection Certificates). Free market is one thing, but protecting someone who have spent half of his/hers life inventing sth which is than copied by a wealthier company and introduced to the market faster / cheaper than the original inventor is what patents are all about.

    Nobody would give them a patent for dog cloning, but they might have invented sth that is needed along the way of cloning procedure which is a must for dogs. So it would be true to say that they only have the right to clone dogs (if they have a patent) - as long as someone won't gonna come up with a different technology.

    EDIT:

    <!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->so it seems it's based around control of a patent for the process in question, in Korea. Really wouldn't call that a worldwide exclusive legal right...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    patents are international, the law might not be unified in the whole world, but it is highly probable that this company have refilled applications for Europe/US.
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    Hmm, that's true. T minus 20 years until rampant dog cloning then!
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    there exists international law that allows countries to ignore patents (especially medical patents) to serve an emergency need. Also, no one process can exclude all attempts at something like this. There are just too many ways to get around patents to use such sweeping language.
  • X_StickmanX_Stickman Not good enough for a custom title. Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15533Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1679166:date=May 22 2008, 02:14 PM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kouji_San @ May 22 2008, 02:14 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679166"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Hmm so they are going to draw on emotional/unrational decisions with this flawed marketing sheme? Fact is that cloned being will not be the same as you old pet in terms of behavior/memory, so it's not going to magically give our pets eternal life...
    *cough* bull###### *cough* marketing<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    If it's raised in the same way, it's gonna act pretty much the same. Not identical, but close enough to not question it.

    But the chances of someone raising their pet the same way they did the first time is highly unlikely.
  • remiremi remedy [blu.knight] Join Date: 2003-11-18 Member: 23112Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester
    This is that whole Nature vs Nurture dispute... I'm not sure if anyone has done any studies on this, but to me it seems the best way to do a study would be to make two clones and have them raised in different ways and see if their adult behaviors are the same or to what degree temperament and such are determined by nature (genetics).
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    <i>Freakonomics</i> had a little to say about the subject of nature versus nurture, but primarily regarding education, not so much regarding personality.
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    I understand there were example cases of identical twins that were adopted by different families. When reunited, they found a great number of similarities between them, notably in the arrangements of their homes.
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    the only thing I have to add to this thread is an earnest hope that something goes wrong in the cloning process and we have Resident Evil style zombie dogs wreaking havoc on humanity.
  • X_StickmanX_Stickman Not good enough for a custom title. Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15533Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1679191:date=May 22 2008, 05:47 PM:name=DiscoZombie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DiscoZombie @ May 22 2008, 05:47 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679191"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->the only thing I have to add to this thread is an earnest hope that something goes wrong in the cloning process and we have Resident Evil style zombie dogs wreaking havoc on humanity.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    The minute I hear any credible evidence indicating the existence of real life zombies, I am heading north, arming myself, and hiding in a cave.
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    forget cave, do it properly. The Zombie Survival guide has some really good tips there.
  • remiremi remedy [blu.knight] Join Date: 2003-11-18 Member: 23112Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester
    I really don't think cloning is that bad.

    We neuter our pets so that they don't go breeding like crazy.
    If you clone your pet you know that you are not just replacing your former pet. It is a new dog. It's almost as if the pet wasn't neutered and had a pup that was identical to its father/mother.

    By neutering the pet you remove the possibility of offspring. You remove the possibility that it's lineage will live on.




    It makes sense in my head, but I'm kinda tired. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    I don't have any problem with pet cloning in general or something but if it was me I wouldn't have my pet cloned. It's not like the dog or cat you happened to adopt/buy is the best animal in the world. Makes more sense just to take your chances with a different pet. Besides, if it turns out the clone's nto really the same, that would seem like it's more of a disappointment than if a completely different cat/dog isn't what you're looking for.
  • X_StickmanX_Stickman Not good enough for a custom title. Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15533Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1679197:date=May 22 2008, 06:39 PM:name=Gwahir)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gwahir @ May 22 2008, 06:39 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679197"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->forget cave, do it properly. The Zombie Survival guide has some really good tips there.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    I don't have enough spare time and/or money to construct the compound it recommends for long term zombie survival, nor do I have access to pretty much any weapon. I can only hope that I can escape the zombies and marauding bands of evil-doers who seek to take advantage of the downfall of society long enough to reach the cold north, where zombies will freeze solid.

    On the plus side, after that trek, I would lose a lot of weight, and the zombie fighting would give me some impressive muscles. After the zombie apocalypse, women would be all over me.


    Every cloud has a silver lining.
  • remiremi remedy [blu.knight] Join Date: 2003-11-18 Member: 23112Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester
    <!--quoteo(post=1679217:date=May 22 2008, 04:14 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ May 22 2008, 04:14 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679217"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't have any problem with pet cloning in general or something but if it was me I wouldn't have my pet cloned. It's not like the dog or cat you happened to adopt/buy is the best animal in the world. Makes more sense just to take your chances with a different pet. Besides, if it turns out the clone's nto really the same, that would seem like it's more of a disappointment than if a completely different cat/dog isn't what you're looking for.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    That's a good point. I think the parts that would be the same would just be in temperament and intelligence.
    I think I'd prefer if they could make it so that it wasn't actually a clone but just an artificial child of my old dog.
    If I loved my dog and every aspect of her personality, I'd rather have a puppy from that same family line than to have a clone or to try my luck with another dog. Since that's not possible, I might try for one of the same breed but that is almost as random as just choosing a puppy out of a box.
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    For that matter, choosing a puppy out of a box has a lot of charm to it, and should not be undervalued.
  • remiremi remedy [blu.knight] Join Date: 2003-11-18 Member: 23112Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester
    <!--quoteo(post=1679270:date=May 23 2008, 12:25 AM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ May 23 2008, 12:25 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679270"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->For that matter, choosing a puppy out of a box has a lot of charm to it, and should not be undervalued.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    That's true, I have been without a dog for about 6 years now... I want a puppy! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />

    I was actually just saying "choosing a puppy out of a box" as a twist on whatever saying it is about choosing some random thing from a barrel or a basket or something. Me not being able to remember the saying also contributed to this.

    I want a puppy... <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    "Alright, for my next trick, pick a puppy, any puppy. Okay, the trick is that I run away and manage to get rid of yet another puppy and now you're stuck with it. Yoink!"
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    Phuppy Phower!

    Anyway you slice it... Puppies >>>>>>>> clones, unless they are mutated zombie warior clones of course <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
  • GwahirGwahir Join Date: 2002-04-24 Member: 513Members, Constellation
    but clones start out as puppies, then grow into adult dogs...
  • AbraAbra Would you kindly Join Date: 2003-08-17 Member: 19870Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1679301:date=May 23 2008, 02:45 PM:name=Gwahir)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gwahir @ May 23 2008, 02:45 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679301"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->but clones start out as puppies, then grow into adult dogs...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    What!?

    The cloning thing just lost its false charm.
  • SvenpaSvenpa Wait, what? Join Date: 2004-01-03 Member: 25012Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1679319:date=May 23 2008, 07:44 PM:name=Abra)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Abra @ May 23 2008, 07:44 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679319"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->What!?

    The cloning thing just lost its false charm.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    You just have to re-clone it more often! How much can you teach a puppy before you want another one anyway?
  • AlignAlign Remain Calm Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5216Forum Moderators, Constellation
    edited May 2008
    For the record, we have 2 dogs, where one is the father of the other, and the son is frankly worse in every way except his sleeker fur and higher speed (which might be age taking its toll). He's less attentive, more aggressive, has a more annoying bark, much more prone to run away, less cuddly, and refuses to learn tricks.

    But who can say if a clone would've been different?
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    Ain't that the point? A clone ISN'T different (genetically). A son is.
  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    Now for the big prize question:

    Assume a clone can actually create a 100% genetically identical copy. (Which is not the case, but that's why I said assume.)
    And just in case you didn't know: Although genes do not change over the course of time their activity does, depending on influences of your environment.

    Now, when you clone a dog you most likely have a gene sample of the old dog, cause you didnt know that he would be the best dog ever when he was a puppy.
    Does cloning also clone the gene/codon activity or only the gene sequence?

    If it only clones the sequence, you have no guarantee that he will turn out to be the #1 pet he was, cause the activity is developed through interaction with the environment, which you cannot recreate to a 100% accuracy..
    But if it also clones the activity you will have a puppy, with the traits of the dog, when the sample was taken.
    This also means, that the clone will be different from the original, cause he starts out differently than the original.

    In either case: You will not get back, what made you dog so awesome.
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    But you WILL have one that LOOKS the same!
  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1679413:date=May 25 2008, 03:29 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ May 25 2008, 03:29 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1679413"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->But you WILL have one that LOOKS the same!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    If you forgot to stuff your dog the first time, then I suppose cloning might be a good option...
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