Sometimes I can understand why foreigners think we Americans are crazy--this article is a perfect example:

In a happy mix of science and commerce, man's best friend can now live again and again - if the owner is besotted and rich enough.

The South Korean stem cell scientists who produced Snuppy, a cloned Afghan hound, have received the world's first commercial order to clone a dog and are preparing to recreate Booger, a pitbull terrier from California.

It is an order they hope will lead to the production of as many as 500 born-again pets each year.

"We received an order from an American woman to clone her dog, Booger," said Ra Jeong-Chan, chief executive of RNL Bio, the Korean company that will help Seoul National University stem cell scientists create Booger II.

"She is disabled and has trouble walking, so Booger was a big help to her and she wants him back."

The price for cloning a dog is set to be $150,000, but because this is the first order, and because the woman agreed to allow the event to be publicised, she is only being charged $50,000.

Dang, 67% off?? Only $50,000 to have darling Booger artificially reincarnated? What a steal. Hey, I hear it only costs about $100 bucks to adopt a stray from the local Humane Society, and it comes with a spay/neuter, shots, and sometimes a free sample of flea medicine. Oh, and did I mention that you're giving that dog a good home? Sure, little Snot may never be able to completely replace Booger, but at least you're not adding to the problem of canine overpopulation. Your dog is going to be as good as you raise it to be--Booger II may not turn out as amazing as Booger the First.

-Cydney

Cross-posted on The Celebrity.