Canadian dentist attempts to clone John Lennon using DNA from the late Beatle’s tooth

Canadian dentist Michael Zuk is attracting attention for his efforts to extract DNA from a tooth belonging to John Lennon in an effort to clone the late Beatle.

The rotten molar, which Dr. Zuk purchased for more than $30,000 in 2011, is currently in a U.S. lab where scientists are contemplating ways to extract the rock star’s genetic code. CNN reports that Lennon gave the tooth to his housekeeper Dorothy “Dot” Jarrett while she was under his employ between 1964 and 1968, according to her son Barry.  He related that his mother, who is now 90 years old, wished to pass on the tooth rather than risk it becoming lost.  Shortly after the auction ended, Dr. Zuk came forward as the winning bidder and revealed his unusual plans to attempt to clone the rock star.

"I am nervous and excited at the possibility that we will be able to fully sequence John Lennon's DNA, very soon I hope. With researchers working on ways to clone mammoths, the same technology certainly could make human cloning a reality," said Dr. Zuk. “To potentially say I had a small part in bringing back one of Rock's greatest stars would be mind-blowing.”

According to a press release, Dr. Zuk believes the investment he has made in the tooth is potentially the best decision of his life, despite critics who say he’s just plain crazy.   Whether or not that’s true could be debated, but Zuk’s actually made charitable use of the molar as well, sending it on a tour of the UK to raise awareness of mouth cancer.

For more information about Dr. Zuk’s effort to create an army of John Lennons, check out the John Lennon DNA website, complete with a ridiculous rendition of “Love Me Tooth.”