The Island of Doctor Moreau is a science fiction novel that was written in 1896 by H.G. Wells. In the novel, the main character finds himself on an island full of part beast-part human creatures that were created through scientific experiment. Many would say the story is too far fetched. Yet it appears that the Brits may have enjoyed the plot of the story a little too much.
On Monday the British parliament debated the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill that addressed fertilization and reproduction issues including the use of hybrid human-animal embryos for research.
During the research, animal eggs are emptied and then filled with human cells to create an "admixed embryo." The embryo is allowed to develop for 14 days to harvest stem cells.
Josephine Quintavalle, a bioethicist who founded Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said the that "crossing the species barrier in this way is deeply, deeply reprehensible."
The British House of Commons passed the measure by a vote of 336–176.
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http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/05/20/uk.embryos/, http://www.informify.com/top-stories/49-science-technology/143-britain-allows-research-with-human-animal-embryos
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Brits Say Welcome To The Island of Dr. Moreau
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1 comments:
Ethical dilemma? Or delicious beef substitutes?
The ethical nature of this practice is certainly debatable, but I think it's far less obvious than what the articles you referenced are letting on. It's called unnatural, sure, but so is any modern scientific practice (by fact that nature, assuming we're excluded, didn't and wouldn't have done it). It certainly won't turn into some human-animal monster.
I dunno what to think at this point, to be honest.
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