Pawsome comeback: Thai woman spends 6m baht to clone pet dog
A Fifty year old animal lover from Ban Pong district, Ratchaburi province, invested 6 million baht to clone her beloved dog, and bring it back from the grave. The cloned French Bulldog puppy, named Pha Phang, is five months old and displays a playful and lively temperament.
Kanjanrat Sakdigratanasiri, also known as Kai, revealed that Pha Phang is the first genetically engineered cloned dog in Thailand, showing only minor differences in the left ear compared to her original pet dog.
Following the passing of Pha Phang due to Canine Cushing’s syndrome, a condition affecting the endocrine system in dogs, Kanjanrat contacted Doctor Supasek Sonjit, a cell specialist and Thailand’s first veterinarian capable of cloning dogs, to bring her cherished pet back to life.
During discussions, Dr. Sonjit posed two critical questions: who would care for the cloned dog if Kanjanrat were to pass away, to which she responded by preparing a will for the caretaking of Pha Phang and her 16 other dogs; and whether she could handle criticism from those who viewed her decision as not letting go.
Kanjanrat explained that she could part with 5 to 6 million baht (US$147,100 to 176,520), not due to wealth but because Pha Phang provided emotional support in difficult times. While some might believe the money could buy several new dogs, it was not about acquiring another pet but reviving the bond she cherished.
After receiving satisfactory responses, Dr. Sonjit agreed to assist, collecting cells from Pha Phang’s body and sending them to South Korea, where Doctor Hwang Woo Suk, a cloning expert, cultured and multiplied the cells for cloning.
Initially, the process faced challenges when puppies could not breathe independently after birth, requiring complex genetic engineering techniques. Success was achieved on the fifth attempt after more than a year, marking Thailand’s first genetically modified cloned dog.
The entire process cost approximately 6 million baht (US$176,56), with cloning expenses exceeding 3 million baht (US$88,315). However, the genetic engineering costs, valued at over 20 million baht (US$588,755), were waived by Dr. Hwang Woo Suk, who was moved by Kanjanrat’s love for Pha Phang.
Upon meeting Pha Phang at four months old, the puppy immediately recognised Kanjanrat, displaying behaviours indicating its return.
Remarkably, it could also understand Thai commands, a phenomenon explained by the veterinarian that, apart from physical similarities, the cloned dog retains its memories, although its coat pattern may differ slightly.
Despite some viewing her actions as unnatural or unethical, Kanjanrat acknowledged differing opinions but perceived cloning as scientific progress and a means of restoring love without harming others. She requested respect for her decision, reported KhaoSod.
The deceased Pha Phang’s body is preserved through refrigeration and will be buried at her home when the time is right.
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