Can’t bear to say goodbye to your pet? Biotech’s got you covered.
The article examines the emerging biotech market for pet longevity, including drugs, cloning, and cryonics. The author questions the ethical implications of these technologies while acknowledging the emotional desire to extend a pet's life.
Why it matters
As pet care becomes a multi-billion dollar industry, the intersection of biotechnology and animal welfare raises significant ethical and market questions.
Drugs, cloning, and cryonics are on offer—for better or worse.
I don’t remember much about Peppy, my first and only pet cat. I can conjure the sensation of stroking her while she purred, recall how she used to get stuck in trees (just like in cartoons!), and chuckle about the time she pooed in my baby sister’s cot. That’s about it.
What I do vividly remember, though, is the day she went missing. I was 10 years old, and I searched everywhere for her, scouting nearby fields and woods until sunset. I made posters. We never found her. I was devastated.
There was no way to get more time with Peppy, but almost 30 years later, pet owners are being offered an ever-expanding set of options to potentially prolong their years with their furry companions. The possibilities include drugs, cloning, and even cryonics. But is that a good thing?
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