Posted on 11/06/2006 10:52:18 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
UK scientists have applied for permission to create embryos by fusing human DNA with cow eggs.
Researchers from Newcastle University and Kings College, London, have asked the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for a three-year licence.
The hybrid human-bovine embryos would be used for stem cell research and would not be allowed to develop for more than a few days.
But critics say it is unethical and potentially dangerous.
Stem cell research is one of the most promising areas of medical science.
They are the body's master cells and five-day-old embryos are packed with them - each with the potential to turn into any tissue in the body.
It is this ability which scientists want to harness to treat diseases such as Parkinson's Disease, strokes and Alzheimer's Disease.
To do that, they need to have access to thousands of embryos for research.
Short supply
The problem is that human eggs for research are in short supply and to obtain them women have to undergo surgery.
That is why scientists want to use cows' eggs as a substitute.
They would insert human DNA into a cow's egg which has had its genetic material removed and then create an embryo by the same technique that produced Dolly the Sheep.
The resulting embryo would be 99.9% human, the only bovine element would be DNA outside the nucleus of the cell.
It would though, technically be a chimera, part-human, part-animal.
The aim would be to extract stem cells from the embryo when it is six days old, before destroying it.
The quality and the viability of stem cells would then be checked to see if technique has worked.
The scientists also plan to examine the way the cells are reprogrammed after fusion to see if there are useful processes they could replicate in the laboratory.
Lead researcher Dr Lyle Armstrong said: "If we can learn from the egg cell how to make embryonic stem cells without having to use an animal egg at all then some day we may be able to cure diseases such as Parkinson's disease, or better still some of the age-related diseases which are creating such a burden on society."
Dr Stephen Minger, from King's College London, said: "The current state of the technology is such that literally hundreds of human ooctyes (eggs) from young women will be required to generate a single human embryonic stem cell line.
"Therefore we consider it more appropriate to use non-human oocytes from livestock as a surrogate.
"We feel that the development of disease-specific human embryonic stem cell lines from individuals suffering from genetic forms of neurodegenerative disorders will stimulate both basic research and the development of new medicines to treat these horrific brain diseases."
'Undermining humanity'
Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, head of Developmental Genetics, National Institute for Medical Research, said: "This is a very rational step: to learn what you can using animal eggs, which are readily obtainable, before moving on to valuable human eggs when or if this becomes necessary."
But some will argue the end does not justify the means.
Calum MacKellar, from the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics, said the research undermines the distinction between animals and humans and breaches human rights.
He said: "In the history of humankind animals and human species have been separated.
"In this kind of procedure you are mixing at a very intimate level animal eggs and human chromosomes, and you may begin to undermine the whole distinction between humans animals and humans.
"If that happens it might also undermine human dignity and human rights."
Ever heard of Molly Ivins? Rosie O'Donnell?
You would not be a true Freeper if your first thought after seeing the title wasn't about Rosie O'Donnell.
Helen Thomas comes to mind, with a morsel of vulture blood.
We already have some of those in Wisconsin-Minnesota, etc.
They are reverently referred to as "healthy heifers".
Are we not men?
IBHTP!.........
Seen Al Gore lately?
Adult stem cells seem to work in some cases and umbilical stem cells are available for research.
Embryonic stem cell research seems to hold great promise for government funding, if nothing else.
holy cow...
Mancow?
Livestock woman, you moo-moo-mooooove me.
Not Impressed
Here we go again ~ Cordwainer Smith covered the end game on this idea. Try: http://www.cordwainer-smith.com/
I was stationed at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin ("Gateway to Cranberry Country!"). A Saturday night foray into the nightlife of nearby Tomah and Sparta was known as a "heifer hunt".
Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Psalm 139:13-16
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Galatians 1:15
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,…
Isaiah 49:1 :
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
Matthew 18:5
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Deuteronomy 30:19
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and
death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."
Proverbs 6:16 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood
Exodus 20:13
Thou shalt not kill.
This is the direct result of Tony Chachere's Tur-Duc-Hens.
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