The first cloned-to-order pet sold in the United States has been delivered to a Texas woman, who paid $50,000 US to have a kitten created from the DNA of her dead cat.

A California biotech company, Genetic Savings and Clone, forged the kitten from the remains of Nicky, a cat who died last year.

Nicky's owner, a woman known only as Julie, was shattered by the death of her 17-year-old pet and banked its DNA.

Julie and Little Nicky (AP photo)
Julie and Little Nicky (AP photo)

Julie insists that Little Nicky, now nine months old, is the same as its prototype.

"He is identical. His personality is the same," she told the Associated Press news agency. Julie wanted her last name and hometown kept secret because she fears being targeted by cloning opponents.

Clones not identical, scientists warn

But scientists say pet owners should be aware that environmental and other biological variables make it impossible to duplicate animals exactly. Little Nicky, for example, has a different coat from its predecessor.

They also warn that cloned animals are more likely to have health problems than those produced through traditional breeding.

Project re-ignites cloning debate

Little Nicky's creation and sale has re-ignited ethical and religious debates over cloning.

Genetic Savings and Clone, which has cloned five cats since 2001, said it hopes to make the world's first genetically cloned dog by next May.

They expect the market for dogs to be much more lucrative.

Other companies have already created cloned mice, rabbits, goats, pigs, horses and prize cattle, which sell for about $20,000 US each.

Animal-rights activists and others condemned Genetic Savings and Clone, pointing out that thousands of unwanted cats are euthanized each year in the United States.

"It's morally problematic and a little reprehensible," said David Magnus, co-director of the Centre for Biomedical Ethics at Stanford University.

"For $50,000, she could have provided homes for a lot of strays."