00:00Here at Gemini Genetics, the stable doors for animal cloning are well and truly open.
00:07This grey stallion is a genetic replica,
00:11cloned from the legendary Gem Twist, one of the best showjumpers of all time.
00:17The clone is kept as a stud, and his offspring are on track to win too.
00:23That original horse was a very successful showjumping horse,
00:26but he was a gelding, so he wasn't able to pass on his superior genetics.
00:30So they cloned him, and this is his clone, Mircus Gem,
00:34who's one of our most popular stallions here.
00:36The company also offers cloning of pet dogs and cats.
00:40The process starts by sterilising a tiny skin sample containing unique DNA,
00:47then extracting and culturing those live cells.
00:51And these are what are used ultimately for cloning the animal.
00:54They all contain the whole genetic profile of the original donor animal.
00:58One of these cells is implanted into an egg in order to make the cloned embryo.
01:03But due to the UK's legal restrictions, that part must happen in the US.
01:08So samples are first frozen here, and can be preserved indefinitely until the client goes ahead.
01:15Once the clone is born and up on its feet in the US, it goes back to a UK owner.
01:20Clone Spaniel Gem is a lively, healthy and much-loved pet with her own personality.
01:26For cats and dogs, it's really about maintaining a connection to the original animal.
01:30So it's going to be down to the individual as to how much they value they've had a pet that they really, truly love.
01:36It's really their decision.
01:37But pet owners need to swallow the cost of $50,000 to create a clone.
01:43Many devoted owners are undeterred.
01:46Pet cloning is becoming increasingly popular here in the UK.
01:49Despite the high cost.
01:51But the country is lagging behind other places like America, where the process is legal.
01:57Researchers here are hoping that one day that might change, so that they can develop the industry further.
02:03But the concept of cloning sometimes causes unease.
02:07Animal charities say it's better to rescue a pet.
02:10And the British Veterinary Association says it has, quote, ethical and welfare considerations.
02:17But researchers argue cloning creates happiness and is as harmless as IVF.
02:22Look at the technology. It is just another form of assisted reproduction.
02:26We're not altering the DNA of these animals in any way.
02:29And I've shown you in the lab earlier how straightforward the process is actually, just from a skin sample to culturing it.
02:35And then that goes into an egg.
02:37Since Brexit, there is a chance UK legislation could change.
02:41And with growing public interest, it seems unlikely the door to future pet cloning will close.
02:47Kitty Logan, CDTN, Shropshire.
