That Luiz Hoinkis chose to clone his dog may seem to be a sign of his sincere love for animals (Experience: I spent $50,000 cloning my dog, 18 April). But his decision and the growing pet‑cloning industry that makes it possible may instead be an indication that we are misvaluing animals. Trying to have one’s dog “reborn” takes it to be a replaceable object, not an individual with an irreplaceable perspective. Each sentient animal is an individual with a unique perspective, regardless of how similar each dog, fox or gazelle might seem to the human gaze.
Dr William Gildea
McGill University and the Centre for Research in Ethics, Canada
• In view of the egregious increase in the UK dog population and its evident and suspected negative impact on the environment, greater service to the lost and the lonely might be achieved by Guardian advice on how to live without a dog (The Guardian guide to living with dogs, 26-30 April).
Peter Lowe
Newcastle upon Tyne
