Pet-Lovers Can Clone Kitten for $25K

Two litters of cloned kittens were delivered by the subsidiary of a Germantown company that plans to launch global pet cloning in 2016.

Intrexon Corporation, the Maryland-based synthetic biology company, announced Oct. 13 that its Texas subsidiary, ViaGen Pets, had successfully delivered the kittens. The Washington Business Journal reports that ViaGen was purchased last year by Intrexon.

The parent company has ventures in cancer treatment and other sciences.

ViaGen caters to pet owners seeking genetic preservation for their animals, the company said. ViaGen Pets is preparing for a global launch of its pet-cloning services in early 2016.

Early cost estimates say the company will charge $25,000 to clone a healthy kitten, the Business Journal reports. A healthy puppy clone will cost $50,000. Company officials say the cost will decline as the process expands.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the birth of these adorable kittens,” said ViaGen Pets President Blake Russell in a news release. “As the largest global provider of genetic preservation services for companion animals, we look forward to expanding the life-enriching connections that people form with their pets. Our goal is to bring this opportunity to all pet owners and their families.”

»Patch file photo