Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Stem Cells from a Human-Pig Hybrid
Scientists hope to create a cell model to study heart disease.
By Emily Singer
British scientists will use pig eggs and DNA from a human patient
with heart disease to generate stem cells. If successful, these will be the
first human stem cells made from animal eggs.
A shortage of human eggs--a central ingredient in the
cloning process--has stalled
human cloning, so scientists are studying whether animal eggs can do the
trick. (Two groups in the United
Kingdom have already been given permission
to move forward with hybrid research.) The concept of human-animal hybrids has proved
controversial, but scientists will only generate cells from the research; they
won't let the embryos develop.
According to an article in the Guardian,
Although the stem cells will not contain any animal DNA, they will not be
suitable for treating humans directly. Instead, the scientists will use the
cells to learn how genetic mutations cause heart cells to malfunction and
ultimately cause life-threatening cardiomyopathy.
"Ultimately they will help us understand where some of the problems
associated with these diseases arise, and they could also provide models for
the pharmaceutical industry to test new drugs," [Warwick
Medical School
scientist Justin] St John
says. "We will effectively be creating and studying these diseases in a
dish, but it's important to say that we're at the very early stages of this
research and it will take a considerable amount of time."
Human-animal hybrid research has received much more
attention in the United Kingdom
than in the United States,
largely because the research there is governed by a central regulatory board,
and details of research proposals are made public. No broad-arching regulation
exists in the United States,
where scientists are mainly accountable to university ethical review boards.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Comments
This somehow justifies producing, manipulating, and discarding human embryos (or hybrids thereof)? What makes it acceptable... that they're "not really human", or that "we'll kill them when we're done"?
Progress in medical science does not justify (or even necessitate) treating human beings merely as objects for experimentation, to be used and discarded like so much raw material. Authentic science serves man without dehumanizing individual human beings.
No, the ends do not justify the means, which in this case are not only "controversial" but deplorable.
robin26
07/18/2008
Posts:10
Before my accident, I would have shared your sentiments towards this research. I have supported animal research by providing infection control products such as disposable exam gloves, medical grade respirators, disposable clothing and a complete line of personal protective equipment to protect both the researchers and animals from infectious diseases, allergens and blood-borne pathogens.
The United States has done a phenomenal job of researching cures for many debilitating diseases through animal research. While all life is valuable, I feel that it is very important for us to realize that we are spiritual beings in physical bodies. From this viewpoint we can see the spirit Of Infinite Mind/God manifesting and creating cures of the physical body for this time in our current state of evolution vis-à-vis Eckardt Tolle.
Nameste,
Kurt Christensen
KurtC415@Gma...
07/23/2008
Posts:1
You have my sympathy for the terrible injury You suffered, and its aftermath. My cousin, just a couple years older than myself, has spent the past 30 years in a wheelchair, almost totally paralyzed by a motorcycle accident.
People with such injuries -and all people of good will- greatly desire to see advancements in medical science that may bring treatments or cures for such injuries. I sincerely hope that You and my cousin may stand and walk again, someday.
Yet such good and noble desires can not justify using other human beings -preembryonic or otherwise- as raw material for scientific experimentation. Let research proceed along other lines that respect the dignity of every human individual at every stage of development.
Volunteering oneself for participation in medical studies is one thing. Subjecting the defenseless to devastating and irreversible procedures and then destroying them is inhuman.
It is indefensible that some humans should be destroyed for the benefit of others.
robin26
07/24/2008
Posts:10
Kurt as much as I sympathize with you, I have to concur with robin on this. I will make an argument, and while extreme and some may argue that this argument doesn't count because they'll say there is no relation, but it does matter fundamentally for all people that all human life is respected. I'll argue that almost every one would believe that it would be wrong to use their brother or sister for experimentation expecialy if it ment killing them. Same could be said for any living person or even fully developed babies in the womb for that matter. Most every one in their gut knows that those situations are wrong. Humans are in a continued state of development from conception to old age and embryos are no less human then you or me.. I too believe, because of faith, that were spiritual beings with physical bodies. I also believe that neither my life or even, I'm sorry, your life, is more valuable then another. As a spiritual being I feel a responsibility to protect those that are vulnerable from those that would exploit them.
History has shown imagination is the only limit at how horrific societies can become if human life is allowed to be devalued based on any criteria e.g. age, race, creed.
We all live and we all die, this is the way it is.
While we live some will be like Hitlers and rationalize the devaluation of human life, while others strive to protect the defenseless.
It is my, and I will venture to guess your desire to be a blessing to as many people that we come into contact with. I say this with the utmost of love in my heart that god love you.
I would also like to add that a recent article in Technology Review Stem Cells without Side Effects illustrate continued development and growing possibilities for potential treatments with stem cells from other then embryonic sources.
shomas
09/23/2008
Posts:42