Canadian dentist to use John Lennon's tooth to clone baby from dead Beatle's DNA
Published: 2014-04-13 11:17
Updated: 2014-04-13 12:00
Front row, from the left: The Beatles member John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr wave hands at the fandom in John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, U.S., February 1964. (Wikimedia)
All you need is love -- and maybe an old tooth.
During an episode of Dead Famous DNA on Channel 4 in England, Canadian dentist Dr. Michael Zuk revealed that he plans on using DNA from one of John Lennon’s teeth to make a clone baby that he can raise as his own.
“If there is enough DNA to sequence it, it could be basically genetic real estate,” Zuk said. “My goal is to own John Lennon’s DNA.”
Zuk purchased Lennon’s molar for $33,000 when it was put up for auction about three years ago.
The doctor believes that owning the tooth grants him the rights to Lennon’s DNA.
“I think I can, because of the laws,” Dr. Zuk said. “Depends on where you do these things. If it can’t be done in one country, you can do these things in another. To have John Lennon’s DNA sequence outside of the family protection to me, and full access to it, is worth millions.”
He even has a plan about how to make sure the test-tube baby becomes a success.
“He would still be his exact duplicate but you know, hopefully keep him away from drugs and cigarettes, that kind of thing,” Zuk said. “But you know, guitar lessons wouldn’t hurt anyone right?” (UPI)
