The Scoop
Tom Brady revealed that his current dog Junie is actually a clone of the family’s late pit bull mix, Lua, who passed away in December 2023. Brady said he worked with a biotech company he invests in to preserve Lua’s DNA via a simple blood draw before she died, and months later the family welcomed a new dog that’s essentially a second chance.
How It Happened
According to Brady, the process was non-invasive: a blood sample was taken from the elderly dog and the company used its cloning methods to create the new pup. If that sounds like sci-fi, welcome to 21st-century pet care — a mix of lab work and emotional closure.
Who’s Behind It
The company involved is a Texas-based biotech firm known for big projects — including ambitious work around extinct animals and genomic editing. It recently acquired a cloning company tied to technology used in landmark cloning cases, and has attracted a handful of celebrity backers. The outfit is positioning itself as part pet-rescue solution, part conservation lab.
Why People Care — And Complain
This story blends celebrity culture, grieving pet owners, and controversial science, which makes for a spicy headline. Supporters see cloning as a way to comfort families who’ve lost beloved pets. Critics worry about ethics, animal welfare, and whether resources should go toward de-extinction and cloning instead of habitat protection and traditional conservation.
What Brady Said About It
Brady framed the decision as personal and emotional — a way to give his family another dog that carries on the memory of Lua — while also suggesting the technology could help endangered species down the line. In short: it’s sentimental and strategic at the same time.
The Takeaway
Whether you find this lovely, creepy, or somewhere in-between, it’s a clear sign that biotech is no longer just for movies and lab journals. For now, the Brady household has a wagging tail and a fresh headline. The bigger ethical and environmental conversations, though, are just getting started.
