Scientists create part-human animals
MrBrian
Posts: 2,672
Stem cell experiments leading to genetic mixing of species
Updated: 5:43 p.m. ET April 29, 2005
RENO, Nev. - On a farm about six miles outside this gambling town, Jason Chamberlain looks over a flock of about 50 smelly sheep, many of them possessing partially human livers, hearts, brains and other organs
Biological mixing of species
But the biological co-mingling of animal and human is now evolving into even more exotic and unsettling mixes of species, evoking the Greek myth of the monstrous chimera, which was part lion, part goat and part serpent.
In the past two years, scientists have created pigs with human blood, fused rabbit eggs with human DNA and injected human stem cells to make paralyzed mice walk.
Particularly worrisome to some scientists are the nightmare scenarios that could arise from the mixing of brain cells: What if a human mind somehow got trapped inside a sheep’s head?
The “idea that human neuronal cells might participate in 'higher order' brain functions in a nonhuman animal, however unlikely that may be, raises concerns that need to be considered,” the academies report warned.
Mice with human brains
In January, an informal ethics committee at Stanford University endorsed a proposal to create mice with brains nearly completely made of human brain cells. Stem cell scientist Irving Weissman said his experiment could provide unparalleled insight into how the human brain develops and how degenerative brain diseases like Parkinson’s progress.
Stanford law professor Hank Greely, who chaired the ethics committee, said the board was satisfied that the size and shape of the mouse brain would prevent the human cells from creating any traits of humanity. Just in case, Greely said, the committee recommended closely monitoring the mice’s behavior and immediately killing any that display human-like behavior.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7681252
Updated: 5:43 p.m. ET April 29, 2005
RENO, Nev. - On a farm about six miles outside this gambling town, Jason Chamberlain looks over a flock of about 50 smelly sheep, many of them possessing partially human livers, hearts, brains and other organs
Biological mixing of species
But the biological co-mingling of animal and human is now evolving into even more exotic and unsettling mixes of species, evoking the Greek myth of the monstrous chimera, which was part lion, part goat and part serpent.
In the past two years, scientists have created pigs with human blood, fused rabbit eggs with human DNA and injected human stem cells to make paralyzed mice walk.
Particularly worrisome to some scientists are the nightmare scenarios that could arise from the mixing of brain cells: What if a human mind somehow got trapped inside a sheep’s head?
The “idea that human neuronal cells might participate in 'higher order' brain functions in a nonhuman animal, however unlikely that may be, raises concerns that need to be considered,” the academies report warned.
Mice with human brains
In January, an informal ethics committee at Stanford University endorsed a proposal to create mice with brains nearly completely made of human brain cells. Stem cell scientist Irving Weissman said his experiment could provide unparalleled insight into how the human brain develops and how degenerative brain diseases like Parkinson’s progress.
Stanford law professor Hank Greely, who chaired the ethics committee, said the board was satisfied that the size and shape of the mouse brain would prevent the human cells from creating any traits of humanity. Just in case, Greely said, the committee recommended closely monitoring the mice’s behavior and immediately killing any that display human-like behavior.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7681252
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I wonder what would be considered 'human-like' behavior?
but the illusion of knowledge.
~Daniel Boorstin
Only a life lived for others is worth living.
~Albert Einstein
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http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/880680/now_scientists_create_a_sheepthats_15_human/index.html?source=r_health
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=444436
good question. I think america has them in the army ready to invade iran. hehe
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I can't find any updates on it.
hehe, doesnt that seem like the opposite of what they should do?
anyone see the island of dr moreau?!
H. G. Wells, the books better
ah, i couldnt remember the author and didnt wanna make myself look stupid
I dunno, bunny rabbit baraka sounds pretty good to me.
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Tell that to David Icke.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimera_%28genetics%29
but the illusion of knowledge.
~Daniel Boorstin
Only a life lived for others is worth living.
~Albert Einstein
Who is David Icke gue?
*~You're IT Bert!~*
Hold on to the thread
The currents will shift
http://www.wishlistfoundation.org
Oh my, they dropped the leash.
Morgan Freeman/Clint Eastwood 08' for President!
"Make our day"
just b/c we can do something doesn't nec mean we should.
yep, as long as the research is being done by respectable people at respectable places.
I agree. But in terms of medical research, each research laboratory you see doing the research they are doing is subject to mounds of ethical and moral consideration by huge commitees of ethicists and doctors and other people, as well as being subject to having to conform to a code of practice, and be subject to audit and review. This includes laboratories doing medical testing on animals. And even the welfare of the animals in under a code of practice. Those that are not subject to all of these peer checks and guidelines are not true researchers or laboratories and therefore would be subject to being closed down and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
*~You're IT Bert!~*
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*~You're IT Bert!~*
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Hopefully, while they're making my awesome talking saint bernard, they'll have research for these side projects in the works.
LMAO!!
It's what the world needs now!!
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These labs should release footage of all the tests they perform on animals and let the public decide how ethical they are. Sadly torture in the name of science is all too prevelant.
This has already happened, they are called politicians.
Is the forum of public opinion the best option?
There are people from animal welfare groups consulted and participating in the ethics committees already.
halv, I have no desire to hurt animals, but I also believe we need to continue testing and searching for answers to diseases.
I do not accept cosmetics or other unecessary testing of that ilk as a reasonable reason to test on animals.
But if the potential is there to cure thousands of people, millions even, then as long as all possible considerations for the animal are taken into account then I see it as the lesser of two evils and a very necessary action to take.
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LMAO!!!
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I don't know you, and I don't think you're a bad person from what I can tell. I do however despise any type of testing on animals. Quite often it is bogus science. A great example is penicillin. Animal tests gave innacurate results and actually hurt many people. And there are many labs and scientists doing absolutley worthless testing on animals that have resulted in nothing except continued funding. There are countless examples of unbelieveable torture inflicted upon animals in labs, and sadly it continues behind closed doors. We say we are so advanced now, but continue testing on other species for human means???? It's just backwards. I couldn't live with myself knowing I put another being through incredible pain and agony, ni matter what the costs.
Ok halv, well I respect your opinion. I would love to live in a world were there was no animal testing. Unfortunately, if I have to choose between the eradication of diseases that effect millions of humans over testing on animals if that is the only way, then I have to go with animal testing, I'm sorry. But should they come up with another way then I'm all for it. And I believe that they should follow the strictest of controls and guidelines to ensure that the animals that are being tested on are cared for as best as is possible under the circumstances.
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I also respect yours, and your want to help humans. That is a wonderful thing to dedicate your life to. However animal testing has not proven to help eradicate disease. There are plenty of other research methods. Not every lab in the world tests on animals. It is old school research. And even if some animal testing helps in some research, the end does not justify the means. Torturing one being to save another isn't moral, in my opinion. That being said I wish the animals being tested on were cared for in the best way possible as well, but again this does not happen. Animals are continually left in states of agony and distress. Right now millions of animals are stuck in baren cages with horrific wounds and in pain while we sit at our computers eating and listening to music. These animals feel pain, and fear, and lonliness. Who are we to subject them to such agony? We should respect all life, not just lives of the same species. Doctors in Canada used to do research on the mentally handicapped. They figured since these people are of lower intelligence then it's ok. This is the same type of thinking.
I just feel if people saw what actually happens in these labs they would be horrified.
Anyways, I can rant and rave, but the torture will continue.