Tom Brady Clones Late Dog for Unique Brand Activation

Tom Brady, a prominent NFL figure, recently made headlines with a unique brand activation. He disclosed that he had cloned his deceased dog, Lua, a pit bull mix that passed away in 2023. This was announced through a press release to People magazine where he expressed his love for animals and emphasized their importance to his family.

Brady’s Cloning Journey

Brady collaborated with Colossal Biosciences, a company specializing in non-invasive cloning technology. This process involved a simple blood draw taken from Lua before her death, allowing them to preserve her DNA. The cost of cloning a pet is significant, standing at approximately $50,000 for dogs or cats and $85,000 for horses.

Investment in Cloning Technology

Notably, Brady is an investor in Colossal Biosciences, which has recently acquired another pet cloning company, Viagen. Viagen is known for its work in cloning and has previously made headlines for cloning pets for celebrities like Barbra Streisand and Paris Hilton. This acquisition highlights a growing trend in the industry.

The Science of Cloning Pets

The concept of cloning pets is complex, both ethically and scientifically. The first cloned dog, Snuppy, an Afghan hound, was born in 2005 after numerous failed attempts. Researchers required over 1,000 embryos and 123 surrogate dogs to produce just three viable puppies.

• Success rate for dog cloning is approximately 20%.
• Viagen claims a higher success rate in marketing materials.

The Difference Beyond DNA

Despite cloning, it’s essential to understand that cloned animals are not identical replicas of their originals. Junie, Brady’s new dog, is genetically similar to Lua but will have a distinct personality. Notably, Barbra Streisand reported that each of her cloned dogs displayed different personalities.

According to Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, director of the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College, important aspects of a dog’s personality arise from their environment, starting from conception.

Colossal Biosciences and Its Ventures

Colossal Biosciences has garnered attention for its goals, including ambitions to revive extinct species like the woolly mammoth. However, critics often view the company as focused more on public relations than concrete scientific achievements.

This might make the partnership with Brady a fitting combination, marking his transition into a unique sphere in his post-NFL career. As he embraces this facet of life, it raises intriguing questions about the future of pet cloning and the ethical implications that come with it.