Can you believe it? We’re living in an era where the unimaginable has become the norm. From Kim Kardashian’s unexpected journey as a relatable mom to the resurgence of nostalgic fashion trends, the landscape of our culture is shifting rapidly. And now, we can even clone our pets—a striking testament to our modern age.
However, when I mention “we,” I’m not referring to the average person. Growing up in a household that buried our pets in the backyard, cloning a beloved golden retriever was a far-off dream. But for someone like Barbra Streisand, such endeavors are well within reach.
As reported by Variety, Streisand has successfully cloned her late dog, Samantha, who passed away in May. Determined to preserve a piece of Samantha, she collected cells from the dog’s mouth and stomach prior to her death. The process resulted in two clones, affectionately named Miss Violet and Miss Scarlett. Due to their striking resemblance, Streisand found it challenging to tell them apart, prompting her to dress them in distinct sweaters—one purple, one red. You can find adorable photos of them alongside their cousin Miss Fanny on her social media.
You might be curious about the financial implications of pet cloning. Surprisingly, it’s not the astronomical sum one might expect. While the cost used to be around $100,000, advances by ViaGen have brought the price down to $50,000 for dogs and $25,000 for cats. To Barbra, that’s likely just a small expense.
Yet, this development has sparked a renewed debate about the ethics of cloning. Critics question whether it’s right to clone pets when so many animals are euthanized in shelters. John Woestendiek, author of Dog, Inc., raises concerns about the resources involved in cloning and whether companies like ViaGen exploit grieving pet owners. He also mentions that while physical traits can be cloned, a pet’s unique personality cannot be replicated. Streisand acknowledged this, remarking that her new dogs exhibit different personalities and she’s curious to see if they’ll inherit Samantha’s distinctive traits.
This leads to a fundamental question: what is the purpose of cloning? If the new dogs may not share the same characteristics as Samantha, why invest such a hefty sum? Perhaps it’s an attempt to hold onto a piece of the past.
In the grand scheme, I’m inclined to give Barbra a pass on this one. She is a trailblazer in the entertainment world, having shattered barriers for women long before it was commonplace. As she noted in her interview with Variety, she was the first woman to wear many hats as a filmmaker, paving the way for future generations. A passionate advocate for women’s rights, she continues to make her voice heard in various arenas.
So, if cloning pets is your choice, who am I to judge? Personally, I wouldn’t pursue pet cloning, especially since I don’t have a dog or cat of my own (and my finances could use a boost). If there were a way to clone moms, though, that might pique my interest.
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In summary, Barbra Streisand’s decision to clone her dog reflects a fascinating intersection of modern technology and personal sentiment. While opinions are divided on the ethics of such actions, her impact on society and the entertainment industry remains significant.