The Future Has Arrived
By Albert Mohler
Townhall.com
For some time now ethicists have warned that the development of real animal-human combinations--known as chimeras--was nearing on the horizon. Now, according to some reports, the future has arrived.
A report out of Britain indicates that scientists are experimenting with more human-animal combinations at the cellular and genetic levels, now including the insertion of human brain cells into mice.
Researchers in the United States have been allowed to insert "some aspects of human consciousness or some human cognitive abilities" in animals. This is scary stuff.
We all hope for treatments and cures for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, but not at any cost. These scientists are working way beyond any clear moral guidelines. University-based ethics panels keep changing the lines and boundaries at the demands of researchers.
We need a set of rules and policies in force right now--before a mouse really does come up and ask for a cookie.
Townhall.com
For some time now ethicists have warned that the development of real animal-human combinations--known as chimeras--was nearing on the horizon. Now, according to some reports, the future has arrived.
A report out of Britain indicates that scientists are experimenting with more human-animal combinations at the cellular and genetic levels, now including the insertion of human brain cells into mice.
Researchers in the United States have been allowed to insert "some aspects of human consciousness or some human cognitive abilities" in animals. This is scary stuff.
We all hope for treatments and cures for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, but not at any cost. These scientists are working way beyond any clear moral guidelines. University-based ethics panels keep changing the lines and boundaries at the demands of researchers.
We need a set of rules and policies in force right now--before a mouse really does come up and ask for a cookie.
posted by HeavyHanded at
9:16 AM
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