Posted on 07/23/2005 9:17:22 PM PDT by Iam1ru1-2
Scientists have been warned that their latest experiments may accidently produce monkeys with brains more human than animal.
In cutting-edge experiments, scientists have injected human brain cells into monkey fetuses to study the effects. Critics argue that if these fetuses are allowed to develop into self-aware subjects, science will be thrown into an ethical nightmare.
An eminent committee of American scientists will call for restrictions into the research, saying the outcome of such studies cannot be predicted and may in fact produce subjects with a 'super-animal' intelligence.
The high-powered committee of animal behaviourists, lawyers, philosophers, bio-ethicists and neuro-scientists was established four years ago to examine the growing numbers of human/monkey experiments.
These procedures, known as 'human-primate chimeras', involve the combination of human and monkey cells, tissue and DNA to observe any effect and examine the possibility that such combination could actually exist.
Chimeras are mythical monsters from Greek literature, which combined various bodyparts from lions, goats nd snakes.
This team will soon publish its conclusions in leading journal Science. In the report the committee will address such unsettling questions as whether introducing human cells into non-human primate brains could cause "significant physical or biochemical changes that make the brain more human-like" and how those changes could be detected.
The committee will also examine how detectable differences in the monkey's brains, for example emotional or behavioural changes, or if the monkeys developed 'self awareness', could be measured - and dealt with.
"What we were trying to do was anticipate - recognising that if science were to take that path there might be some different kinds of moral challenges." said committee co-chairman Dr Ruth Faden, a professor in biomedical ethics.
Monkeys are already "self aware" subjects without the addition of human brain cells. They might exhibit higher levels of functionality with the addition. The ethical issue exists with or without addition of human brain cells.
Took the words right out of my keyboard!
AGGIES!
I believe it isn't.
Moral Absolutes Ping.
Another example of "just because we CAN do it doesn't mean we SHOULD do it". Science (or any field of human endeavor) unrestrained or guided by moral absolutes can, and will, lead to great evil. The human mind on its own is influence by the desires for profit (which is natural and fine as long as morality is there to keep it in line), greed, fame, the desire to control others, revenge, and more.
If there is no restraining power within, the more there has to be from without.
Remember, there were plenty of fine, intelligent, innovative Nazi scientists.
Freepmail me if you want on/off this pinglist.
This is simply an example of the chickens of Darwinism coming home to roost. If all life is the result of chance, then why not anything?
Bump
I heard they're from this lady named Abby Normal.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.