Lennon's Tooth: Plans For Beatle Clone

A dentist, who owns a tooth once belonging to John Lennon, has said he plans to decode its DNA in the hopes of cloning him.

Dr Michael Zuk bought the tooth in 2011 for more than $30,000 (£19,100) at an auction in Britain.

The ex-Beatle had originally given the rotten tooth to housekeeper Dot Jarlett in the 1960s.

Since then, it had done the rounds being sold via various charity outlets until it arrived in Dr Zuk's hands.

Under his ownership, the dentist has big plans for the tooth, believing if he - with the help of scientists - could just work out the DNA, then a full-blown Lennon clone could be next.

"If scientists think they can clone mammoths, then John Lennon could be next," the Canadian dentist told told The Examiner .

"To potentially say I had a small part in bringing back one of rock's greatest stars would be mind-blowing.

"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."

While the Canadian dentist awaits the return of Lennon, who was murdered by Mark Chapman in 1980, he has been using the tooth to promote cancer awareness.