I’m totally down with cloning. Seriously. I’ve always said that any technology that can make copies of Tyra Banks is okay in my book. And if it can do pets, well then you’re making kids and me happy. Or, better yet, how about a test-tube Tyra Banks pet? How’s that a bad thing?

Disgraced South Korean stem cell scientist Hwang Woo-suk has set up a bio-technology firm specializing in cloning pet animals, a scientist close to Hwang said Wednesday.

Hwang, whose breakthrough human cloning research was later proved to be faked, recently established a new research firm in Seoul, said Park Se-pill, a Cheju National University professor and well-known stem cell scientist. Park said he spoke with Hwang a few days ago.

“He told me that he needs foreign capital to continue his research, but it’s difficult to get it unless he sets up a new research institute and becomes its head,” Park said.