Julie holds Little Nicky, the first cloned cat sold by the Sausalito-based Genetic Savings and Clone.
Little Nicky was cloned from a deceased cat owned by a Texas woman.
Posted on 12/22/2004 3:55:52 PM PST by SmithL
SAN FRANCISCO -- The first cloned-to-order pet sold in the United States is named Little Nicky, an eight-week-old kitten delivered to a Texas woman saddened by the loss of a cat she had owned for 17 years.
The kitten cost its owner $50,000 and was cloned from a beloved cat, named Nicky, that died last year. Nicky's owner banked the cat's DNA, which was used to create the clone.
"He is identical. His personality is the same," the woman told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.
The company, Sausalito-based Genetic Savings and Clone, made her available to speak to reporters only on condition that her name or hometown not be used. The woman said she fears being the target of groups opposed to cloning.
"Nicky loved water, which is an unusual characteristic of cats. Little Nicky jumped into my bath," said the woman, who said she is in her early 40s and employed in the airline industry.
The company delivered Little Nicky two weeks ago and was expected to publicly announced the news Thursday.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Little Nicky was cloned from a deceased cat owned by a Texas woman.
Ethical issues aside, that is one adorable kitten.
It is adorable. On the other hand I'm sure her local humane society has more than a few just as cute.
Its fur is poisonous quills, and it can shoot heat rays out of its eyes.
Did anyone see that Schwartzenegger movie where they have stores like these at malls called: REPET.
Yeah, and the cat she's holding is cute too. :-)
Like this?
LOL! Now, Bob...
Only cloney-er.
I agree. All of my cats came from the humane society or were strays I picked up. Paying $50,000 for a feline friend is demented.
And it knows what you're thinking. Better think only good thoughts or it will preemptively urinate on your bed sheets. Beware the cloned cats.
Our local shelter is in trouble ( like everything else in NY). She could have adopted a kitten for $50.00 and donated the rest to her SPCA. $50 grand.......I wonder what something as big as a horse might cost?
It is for people with more dollars than sense. Kalifornia, what a surprise.
A fool and his money are soon parted . . .
I live in the SF Bay area and the shelters around here are hard up, too. With so many cats running around Oakland, I can have my pick, just by giving them some food and water. It gets a cat off the street, frees up space at the SPCA, and I get a pet.
Two of our three cats were strays that found us. We fed them, captured them, took them the vet for shots and spaying, and we're all happy. Why pay $50,000 for a clone when there are so many stray or abandoned little animals that need a home?
For someone with $100,000.00, $50,000.00 might seem like a huge sum...For someone with $100,000,000.00, $50,000.00 is a mere pittance..
It is all a matter of perspective...
It is NOT the cat that died but I suppose some fool will think their lost spouse,child or worker can be cloned and will be the same as the original.
Good for you! My daughter wanted to get her cat a buddy, so we checked out PetSmart. They had a beautiful grey and black cat that was picked up as a stray. Everyone had told us she didn't want a stray, it would be mean. This cat is nicer than her homegrown and raised cat.
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