Animal-Human Hybrids Spark Controversy

[Veccolo]

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0125_050125_chimeras.html

[Van-Stolin]

Very interesting, though I hate it when people say that something will destroy what being human is about, they haven't even tried it yet.  Besides, being human is overated.

[Telos]

Cynthia Cohen is a member of Canada's Stem Cell Oversight Committee, which oversees research protocols to ensure they are in accordance with the new guidelines.

She believes a ban should also be put into place in the U.S.

Creating chimeras, she said, by mixing human and animal gametes (sperms and eggs) or transferring reproductive cells, diminishes human dignity.

Human dignity. Don't make me laugh.

[Legend]

Yah; I read that over the news.  It's a little more sensational than the title proposes, but it's nonetheless the proof that we're getting closer and closer to that point.  It sounds kind'a like Atlantis all over again with a different scenery/style.  For theses who wondered where the hybrid animal/humans came from; you may be intrigued to know that Atlantis had performed numerous experiences at the genomic level and they did indeed generate an interesting array of hybrids, some of which we have remnants of today still.  For the most part, the species were not stable enough and eventually vanished.  You can actually verify my saying by looking around the Internet or by looking out there for yourself =)

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0125_050125_chimeras.html

[CaCoDeMoN]

Mice with human brain? The today's science is about to comit the most cruel crimes against humanity ever. Imagine when they will create pig with human brain and perform medical experiments on it... I think that death penalty is not enough for these people.

[Gandalf]

Using the term 'chimera' is media sensationalism as it promotes ideas of centaurs or half men  half dogs etc and other nonsense... lets get a bit of realism here: This is about using animals to grow specific organs for human transplant (also blood)

before people start jumping the gun about this, there are some very good possible health benefits here.. such as in growing human organs for transplant, using the DNA from the human patient so that there are no body rejection issues.
For example the pig could be engineered to have human heart with your DNA so that you have a second heart which your body would not reject.. the pig can be allowed to grow and have a perfectly normal life.. or at least as long as any other pig on a farm.. but when it comes the time for the chop.. the heart can be removed and instead of being disposed of (or eaten) it is frozen and stored for your benefit...

before you start complaining about this idea.. do you know how difficult it is to
A: find organ doners for transplant?
B: live after a transplant having to take a whole smorgasbord of anti-immue system drugs so that your body doesnt reject your new heart..
these anti-immune drugs screw your immune system and have really bad side effects which can make life hell....a heart made from your own DNA wouldnt need this as your body would accept it..

I see no ethical dilemas here beyond the usual *using animals for our benefit* and veggies can certainly voice that concern... but if you eat pork.. what is your problem? I think as long as the animals are treated well enough it is fine (in fact if they carry certain human organs you may find they are treated like kings compared to most animals on the farm haha).

You may complain now but how about when your 5 year old daughter is dying from a failing heart and there are no doners?
or even if she gets on, she is going to have to take powerful drugs for the rest of her life?
Still think the present system is adequate?

Douglas

[CaCoDeMoN]

I think that there's no problem with heart, but pig with human brain - it would be the wrost crime against humanity ever seen.[/quote]

[Gandalf]

yes but that is not really that likely is it?

This is a typical media hype-fest..

instead of talking about what doctors and scientists are actually *planning* to do.. they instead come up with a worst possible case scenario and then promote it as if thats the plan! Get real.

Just because they *could* do it, doesnt mean they *want* to do it.. and such a far out example certainly should not be used in order to ban such research.

Doug