After losing their beloved dog Edgar and Nina Otto got the chance to do what’s only been done a few times before. They had their Yellow Labrador Retriever cloned, dubbing him “Lancelot Encore.”
This little miracle of science cost the Otto’s $155,000 dollars, and has some people questioning their decision. The Otto’s live on a 12-acre spread in West Boca, FL along with a small menagerie, including many other dogs, but they always felt there was something different about Lancelot.
Lancelot always occupied a special place in their hearts: Edgar called Lancelot “an unbelievable, humanlike dog, a true companion.” Thus the Otto’s had the foresight to have DNA frozen from Lancelot six years ago.
Then, last June – six months after Lance’s death – they learned the Northern California biotech firm BioArts International was holding a dog-cloning auction. They threw their hat in the ring, and won.
The cloning didn’t come cheap – the Otto’s shelled out $155,000 for the opportunity. But it worked. BioArts partnered with Dr. Hwang S Woo-Suk, of the South Korea biotech research firm Sooam, to bring a second Lancelot into the Otto household.
The Otto’s aren’t hurting for money, Edgar’s father was the co-founder of NASCAR, and he started a successful medical company. Although the couple did say that Nina sold some of her jewelry to help pay for the creation of Lancelot Encore. So, should they be questioned about what they do with their money? Would someone question if he bought a Lamborghini instead of a Ford?
Edgar Otto donates considerable sums to his local Humane Society, he has also promised if they choose an 11th dog it will come from a shelter. I personally would choose to use the $155,000 to help dogs that were already here, although I understand missing your dog so much that you want an exact duplicate.
What would you do with the money? Give me a bark.
