Couple spends $155,000 to clone dead dog--what about cloning lost loved ones?

Here is a news story about a couple that spent $155,000 to clone their dog that had died. The first thing I thought of when I heard this was, wow, someone has a desperate void in their lives. The second thing I thought was, that is a lot of money for a dog. The third thing I though was, I didn't know that cloning was commercially available.

The fourth thing I thought was, how long until people start cloning children who have died? Or themselves? And what is a proper Christian ethic on cloning?

As to the money, the couple said that they had it to spend. This is not, of course, in and of itself a reason to spend something. People could throw plenty of stones about my spending, so it is hard for me to criticize others' choices. I am simply pointing out that spending is a spiritual decision. How many people could $155,000 touch? I couldn't help but think about this.

I do not know the answer to cloning. If my dear precious children, Gina and Emily, died, particularly at a young age, I suppose I would be open to trying anything to cover the hurt. But this would still not bring them back. The cloned child would be different because of her experiences, even if the DNA were the same. She would have a different soul. And it does seem a bit creepy, even as I understand the appeal.

I would like to think that Christians approach death--even tragic death--differently than non-Christians. That, as Paul says, we grieve, but not as those who have no hope. We have hope, and we know that we will be reunited with loved ones when Christ returns. Let us live lives that reflect this hope.

Does spending $155,000 on cloning a dead dog--or even a lost loved one--reflect this hope? I'll let you decide.

What do you think of cloning lost animals or loved ones?