He Couldn’t Say Goodbye: Tom Brady Clones His Beloved Pit Bull Lua
Football legend Tom Brady has shared that his new dog, Junie, is a genetic clone of his late pit bull mix, Lua. The revelation has sparked both fascination and ethical debate among animal lovers and scientists.
The Announcement
In retirement, the former NFL superstar has shifted from scoring touchdowns to exploring biotechnology. This week, Brady confirmed through a press release from Colossal Biosciences that Junie is a clone of Lua, the dog he once shared with his former wife, Gisele Bündchen, before Lua passed away in late 2023.
“In a few short months, Colossal gave my family a second chance with a clone of our beloved dog,” said Tom Brady.
Inside the Cloning Process
According to the company, the cloning process began with a simple blood sample taken from Lua before her death. While it doesn’t use science-fiction-style chambers or electricity, cloning is still highly intricate and costly.
The Role of Colossal Biosciences
Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based biotech firm famous for its “de-extinction” projects such as efforts to revive the woolly mammoth, recently acquired Viagen. Viagen is known for cloning Dolly the sheep in 1996 and has since produced genetic copies of pets for celebrities including Barbra Streisand and Paris Hilton. Brady himself is an investor in Colossal.
Ethical Division Over Pet Cloning
Reactions to Brady’s decision are mixed. Some see it as a touching display of love and renewal, while others argue it crosses a moral line. The case has reignited discussions about emotional attachment, the ethics of cloning, and the human desire to preserve what has been lost.
Author Summary
Tom Brady’s decision to clone his late dog Lua into Junie has reawakened global debate over the moral boundaries and emotional implications of cloning beloved pets.