Regulations proposed for animal–human chimaeras

[michaelvail]

http://stratrisks.com/geostrat/69

he increasingly sophisticated blending of different species to create chimaeras is pushing biology into a new ethical dimension. Last year, scientists used new stem-cell technologies to create a mouse with a functioning pancreas composed entirely of rat cells. So might it soon be possible to create a monkey with a brain composed entirely of human neurons? And would it think like a human?

Such an animal might be useful to researchers studying human cognition or human-specific pathogens. But it would be ethically unacceptable and should be banned, argues a government-commissioned report from the UK Academy of Medical Sciences, a body that promotes medical research.

[napoleon_in_rags]

1. Unquestionably unethical.

But that's when the Devil pops his head in through the side hatch: "Hey secret military guys...I know its horribly unethical, but I heard the Soviets - I mean Al Qaeda or the Americans or whoever you are against - is secretly working on this. Do you want to be left behind?"

Humanity tends to mess with just about anything they can get their hands on, and moral ramifications keep getting worse and worse.

[michaelvail]

2. Creepy:

The most horrid little thing in my mind is that some have already attempted to do this, countries without laws and regulations. Actually now that I think about it South Korea has been working on this sort of research and making pets that glow in the dark etc.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17003-fluorescent-puppy-is-worlds-first-transgenic-dog.html

[napoleon_in_rags]

3. Sadly, its probable.

The organ markets are the obvious financial incentive, in the context of the mouse with the human ear or rat pancreas. But within higher circles, I could also imagine a thirst (like the zombies from Night of the Living Dead) for brains. Certain brain injuries and anomalies reveal deep secrets about how the brain works, and that understanding can lead to vast leaps forward for researchers in AI and neuro-interactive technologies. Its a scary world out there, for sure. :(

[Igel]

5. Why?

Because nature is somehow accorded a sacred status and shouldn't be mucked with?

I look back at the set of ethics and values I had in a very conservative church, and apart from "playing God"--which means doing anything that somebody doesn't like, as far as I can tell--I can't spot a good reason to object.

It's one of those things that just feels wrong. Maybe eventually I'll come up with an actual reason for thinking it's wrong.

So was it * or Palin that talked about these and was ridiculed for knowing more about some of the creepier kinds of interspecies research than a lot of self-appointed political wonks?

[napoleon_in_rags]

6. Why is it unethical, you ask?

Well, if you went to some kind of Hare Krishna vegan mentality where animals are treated with as much respect as people, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. But our society treats animals as lower than people, so when you start genetically crossing the two you open an infinite can of worms, with questions like "what is a human", and is it okay to keep partially human entities in cages since birth so their organs can later be harvested? I mean how many chills do you need?

Often if it feels wrong it is. The classic thinkers wrote a lot about the intersection of aesthetics and morality, and I think they were on to something. Look at this art exhibit of chimera sculptures, think of them being real and tell me you don't disagree- something isn't right here:
http://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/artists/31/Patricia_Piccinini/249/

edit: link no reliable, Google Patricia Piccinini if it doesn't work.

Per your last comment, I don't know anything about Palin or Bush talking about this kind of thing. But its possible, and yes they would be right to talk about it. Worrying about things is both the strength and weakness of the right wing culture.

[DonCoquixote]

4. and let us not forget

That sooner or lates, a slave species could be bred, and the folsk in Dixie would go yeehaw