Tom Brady, the legendary NFL quarterback turned entrepreneur, has made headlines once again—but this time, it’s not for football. Brady recently revealed that his new dog, Junie, is a genetic clone of his beloved pit bull mix, Lua, who passed away in 2023. The announcement, made through a press release to People magazine, has ignited a firestorm of discussion about the ethics, science, and celebrity branding behind pet cloning.
The Science Behind the Clone
Brady’s new pup, Junie, is the result of a partnership with
Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company known for its work in de-extinction and pet cloning. According to Brady, his family preserved Lua’s DNA before her death using a simple blood draw, a non-invasive method Colossal now offers to pet owners. The process, which costs
$50,000 for dogs or cats and
$85,000 for horses, is marketed as a way to “bring back” beloved pets.
Colossal recently acquired
Viagen, another company that has cloned pets for celebrities like Barbara Streisand and Paris Hilton. Brady is not just a customer—he’s also an investor in Colossal, making his announcement a unique blend of personal sentiment and corporate branding.
Celebrity, Science, and the “Weird Rich Guy” Moment
Brady’s decision to clone his dog has been met with a mix of fascination and skepticism. Critics have dubbed it the ultimate “Weird Rich Guy” move, blending grief, technology, and marketing in a way that only a celebrity of Brady’s stature could pull off. The timing of the announcement—coinciding with Colossal’s acquisition of Viagen—has led some to question whether the move was as much about business as it was about family.
“It’s hard to imagine a more heartwarming family moment than bringing home a new puppy while simultaneously leveraging M&A announcements via omnichannel synergies to pump your biotech investment,” quipped
Defector in a recent article. The piece highlights the surreal intersection of personal loss, cutting-edge science, and celebrity branding.
The Ethics and Future of Pet Cloning
Pet cloning is not new, but it’s still a controversial topic. While companies like Colossal and Viagen tout the emotional benefits of “bringing back” a beloved pet, experts caution that a clone is not the same as the original animal. Clones may share DNA, but personality, behavior, and even health can differ significantly.
Animal welfare advocates have raised concerns about the ethics of cloning, particularly when it comes to the treatment of surrogate animals and the potential for disappointment among pet owners. “A clone is not a resurrection,” said one expert. “It’s a new individual with its own unique traits.”
Despite these concerns, the demand for pet cloning is growing, especially among celebrities and affluent pet owners. Colossal’s acquisition of Viagen signals a broader trend: the commercialization of biotechnology for personal and emotional purposes.
What This Means for the Future
Brady’s cloned dog Junie is more than just a personal story—it’s a glimpse into the future of biotechnology and celebrity culture. As cloning becomes more accessible, it’s likely we’ll see more high-profile cases, each raising new questions about ethics, identity, and the boundaries of science.
For now, Brady’s announcement has sparked a global conversation about what it means to grieve, to remember, and to use technology to fill the void left by loss. Whether Junie brings comfort to Brady’s family or controversy to the world of biotech, one thing is clear: the line between science fiction and reality is blurring faster than ever.
Sources
1. Tom Brady Cloned His Dead Dog As A Brand Activation - Defector
2. Who Is the Torenza Passport Woman? Viral JFK Story Raises ...
3. Tom Brady clones his dog | Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Virgin ...
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