[gridlock]

...Ivanov was arrested in 1930. He became one of millions rounded up by paranoid Stalin and died in a labour camp in 1932

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

But before we break our arms patting ourselves on the back, what do people think is going on with stem cell research and cloning? People are adding Human DNA to all sorts of things in order to create chimera stem cells for research purposes and as potential therapies.

Eventually one of these jokers is going to succeed where Ivanov failed. Then what do you do? Is the resulting critter animal or man? Is he property or a citizen? Does he have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

Eventually, we will have to answer these questions.

[Stoat]

 

...Ivanov was arrested in 1930. He became one of millions rounded up by paranoid Stalin and died in a labour camp in 1932

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Very true.

But before we break our arms patting ourselves on the back, what do people think is going on with stem cell research and cloning?

I'm not completely sure, but I do know that it's being done primarily by people who think that it's their 'right' to do pretty much anything they want to in the name of "science", and they tend to view any objections from a religious, moral or philosophical perspective as being the voice of "backward, hysterical Neanderthals" who should really just shut the heck up and get out of the way of their vision of "progress"..

People are adding Human DNA to all sorts of things in order to create chimera stem cells for research purposes and as potential therapies.

It's very troubling and I would like more openness and discussion from researchers involved with any such activity.  Opposing views should be granted a voice, not shut out of the conversation.

Eventually one of these jokers is going to succeed where Ivanov failed. Then what do you do? Is the resulting critter animal or man? Is he property or a citizen? Does he have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

My understanding is that the feeling among scientists is that they should be allowed to do and create whatever they want, and it's the job of the rest of society to legislate and make moral decisions after the fact.

Eventually, we will have to answer these questions.

Yes, and we will have to pick up the pieces (if we can) of any devastating consequences that are created.  We will be doing this while the scientists continue on their merry way, largely oblivious and uncaring as to what they have wrought.