RSPCA welcomes withdrawal of a pet cloning service

Thursday, 29 October 2009 12:00 AM

The RSPCA welcomes the news that BioArts International has withdrawn its pet cloning service but is extremely dismayed that such a service was ever offered in the first place.

The six reasons given by the BioArts CEO, Lou Hawthorne, for stopping their cloning service were for the very animal welfare and ethical concerns that the RSPCA highlighted at the outset.*

RSPCA Senior Scientific Officer Dr Nikki Osborne says: "What is so frustrating is that it has taken BioArts over five years to confirm what the RSPCA has been saying all along. Namely, that the cloning process is inefficient, it can cause animals to experience pain, suffering, distress and lasting harm and that there is little public support for this kind of work. At one time, BioArts even offered their service for free, but still, the public showed no significant interest."

"The fact that animals can be cloned does not mean that they should be. The question now is what more will it take for governments around the world to take action to ban the cloning of companion and livestock animals for commercial purposes?"

Notes: Statement from BioArts International on reasons for ending the service can be found at this website

Dr Nikki Osborne is available for interviews today, please contact Rob Harris in the National Press Office on 0300 123 0290 to arrange.

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825

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