Top Oxford scientist Dr Richard Dawkins has said he would be glad to see his daughter cloned.

And if his pet Labrador was getting too old, he would be glad to have that cloned too.

The controversial biologist - author of the work on evolution The Selfish Gene - said on a radio programme there was 'no real difference' between clones and identical twins.

Speaking on a BBC World Service broadcast last night, Dr Dawkins said that he would clone his daughter.

"If I have somebody that I love, and if there is some particularly good reason to have an identical twin, I would do it," he said.

"That's all it is - there's nothing new about it, identical twins are clones."

He added: "If I had a dog that I loved and if this dog were getting old and might die soon, to have a young clone of it would be perfectly delightful.

"The only really deep reason people have for objecting to such a thing is that it just offends some deep-seated sense - what's been called the 'yuk' reaction. It's irrational."

Dr Dawkins, 57, an atheist, is famous for his outspoken views on religion, ethics and science.

He is married to former Dr Who actress Lalla Ward.

In his work he has said morality is like a computer virus.

He was elected Humanist of the Year three years ago.

Story date: Monday 01 February

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