Yes, cats can be cloned, involving the creation of a genetically identical copy of a living or deceased animal. Cloning uses advanced cell biology techniques to duplicate the nuclear DNA of the original cat, bypassing traditional reproduction. This technology results in a new organism sharing the donor’s genetic blueprint. Understanding feline cloning requires reviewing its history and the scientific steps involved.
The Historical Reality of Feline Cloning
The feasibility of feline cloning was confirmed with the birth of the first successfully cloned cat, Cc (“CopyCat” or “Carbon Copy”), on December 22, 2001. Researchers at Texas A&M University, collaborating with Genetic Savings & Clone Inc., achieved this landmark. Cc’s birth proved that the technology used to clone mammals like Dolly the sheep could be adapted for companion animals, opening the door for the pet cloning industry.
Cc lived a long and healthy life, reaching 18 years of age and naturally giving birth to kittens, demonstrating the viability of cloned animals. Her existence validated that an adult somatic cell could be reprogrammed to direct the development of a new, genetically identical cat. This established the domestic cat as a species amenable to cloning, leading to the procedure’s commercial availability.
The Scientific Process of Creating a Clone
Feline cloning uses Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT), the standard technique for mammalian cloning. The process begins by obtaining a somatic cell—any non-reproductive cell—from the cat to be cloned. A small tissue sample, often a skin biopsy, is collected from the donor animal and cultured in a laboratory.
An unfertilized egg cell (oocyte) is harvested from a separate donor cat. Using a microscopic needle, the nucleus containing the egg donor’s DNA is removed, leaving an enucleated egg cell. The nucleus from the donor cat’s somatic cell is then inserted into the enucleated oocyte.
An electric pulse stimulates the combined cell to fuse and begin dividing like a newly fertilized zygote. If successful, the resulting embryo is cultured until it reaches an early developmental stage.
The developing embryo is then surgically implanted into a surrogate mother cat. The surrogate carries the pregnancy to term, giving birth to the cloned kitten. The newborn cat is a genetic copy of the original donor, requiring multiple animals for donation and gestation.
Genetic Match Versus Individual Identity
While a cloned cat possesses nuclear DNA that is an exact match to the donor, the resulting animal is not a perfect carbon copy in appearance or personality. The first clone, Cc, demonstrated this discrepancy: her donor, Rainbow, was a calico cat, but Cc was tabby and white. This difference is due to factors beyond the nuclear genome, primarily X-chromosome inactivation.
Female cats possess two X chromosomes. In cells coding for coat color, one X chromosome is randomly shut off during early embryonic development (X-inactivation). This random process creates the mosaic color patches seen in tortoiseshell and calico cats. Therefore, even a genetically identical clone develops a unique coat pattern.
The clone’s cellular environment introduces other genetic variations. The clone inherits its mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) entirely from the egg donor, not the nuclear donor, because mitochondria reside in the egg’s cytoplasm. Epigenetic factors, modifications to the DNA affecting gene expression, are also influenced by the environment and nuclear reprogramming, leading to subtle biological differences. Personality is shaped by environment and socialization, meaning the clone develops its own distinct temperament.
Commercial Cloning and Ethical Considerations
The research that led to Cc’s birth launched the commercial pet cloning industry, with companies like ViaGen Pets offering services. The cost to clone a cat is substantial, typically ranging from $35,000 to $50,000. Many clients first preserve their pet’s genetic material for a lower initial fee. The primary motivation for this expensive procedure is often the emotional desire to recreate a beloved pet after its loss.
The commercial availability of pet cloning raises significant ethical and welfare concerns. The process has a low success rate, requiring multiple attempts and the use of numerous animals as egg donors and surrogate mothers. These animals are subjected to hormone treatments and surgical procedures.
Critics question the morality of investing tens of thousands of dollars to create a genetic duplicate when millions of healthy, adoptable cats are in shelters. Producing a single clone often requires numerous animals, resulting in failed pregnancies, stillbirths, or abnormalities, fueling the ethical debate. This process is viewed by some as treating animals as mere property, prioritizing human sentiment over animal welfare and adoption needs.