They may look like any three-day-old embryos, but in fact these are hybrids
Posted on 04/02/2008 5:44:14 AM PDT by NYer
|
They may look like any three-day-old embryos, but in fact these are hybrids
|
Scientists at Newcastle University have created part-human, part-animal hybrid embryos for the first time in the UK, the BBC can reveal.
The embryos survived for up to three days and are part of medical research into a range of illnesses.
It comes a month before MPs are to debate the future of such research.
The Catholic Church describes it as "monstrous". But medical bodies and patient groups say such research is vital for our understanding of disease.
They argue that the work could pave the way for new treatments for conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Egg shortages
Under the microscope the round bundles of cells look like any other three-day-old embryos.
In fact they are hybrids - part-human, part-animal.
 |
 We are dealing with a clump of cells which would never go on to develop 
Professor John Burn
Newcastle University
|
They were created by injecting DNA derived from human skin cells into eggs taken from cows ovaries which have had virtually all their genetic material removed.
So what possible justification can scientists offer for doing what the Catholic Church has branded "experiments of Frankenstein proportion"?
The Newcastle team say they are using cow ovaries because human eggs from donors are a precious resource and in short supply.
The hybrid embryos are purely for research and would never be allowed to develop beyond 14 days when they are still smaller than a pinhead.
Scientists want to extract stem cells, the body's master cells, from the embryos, in order to increase understanding of a whole range of diseases from diabetes to stroke and ultimately to produce treatments.
Professor John Burn from Newcastle University says the research is entirely ethical.
"This is licensed work which has been carefully evaluated. This is a process in a dish, and we are dealing with a clump of cells which would never go on to develop. It's a laboratory process and these embryos would never be implanted into anyone.
"We now have preliminary data which looks promising but this is very much work in progress and the next step is to get the embryos to survive to around six days when we can hopefully derive stem cells from them."
Free vote allowed
The research in Newcastle was approved by the UK's fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
|
It is difficult to imagine a single piece of legislation which more comprehensively attacks the sanctity and dignity of human life than this particular bill
Cardinal Keith O'Brien
|
It acted ahead of the passing of new legislation which will specifically allow the creation of hybrid embryos so as not to hold back research.
The bill setting out the new legislation is not due to be debated in the House of Commons until next month.
It is highly controversial and last week Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave in to demands for a free vote on the issue.
Critics from the Roman Catholic Church say the creation of hybrids is immoral.
"It is difficult to imagine a single piece of legislation which more comprehensively attacks the sanctity and dignity of human life than this particular bill," Cardinal Keith O'Brien, archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh declared last week.
Not for the first time developments in science have outpaced the debate from legislators.
For supporters of embryo research the creation of hybrid embryos is a small but significant move forward.
For opponents it is a step too far.
The Catholic Church and I concur.
Europe: Come for the abominations, stay for the socialism.
This is beyond horrible. Its the “Island of Dr. Moreau” gone mainstream.
Not to go on All-Fours; that is the Law. Are we not men?
Not to suck up Drink; that is the Law. Are we not men?
Not to eat Fish or Flesh; that is the Law. Are we not men?
Not to claw the Bark of Trees; that is the Law. Are we not men?
Not to chase other Men; that is the Law. Are we not men?
Someone had posted this a bit earlier, here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1995367/posts?page=20
“Scientists at Newcastle University have created part-human, part-animal hybrid embryos”.....
Jesus can’t come back quick enough for me!
BULL!
There is a potential to create an unstoppable prionic/protein like disease that could be undetectable, almost indestructible like some prionic diseases are, and get released by accident, carried and multiplied by insects then animals, and cross the species barrier to humans.
we need to develop better equipment and see everything there is to see before we mess around with something so potentially deadly.
“Jesus can’t come back quick enough for me!”
Amen to that! I beg God at least once a day to return Him to us!
In other words they are "sub-human" and thus can be created and destroyed for the purposes of scientific experimentation without moral restraint. < /s >
That is unless PETA speaks up for them.
What is this? A prelude to mating with species from other planets? (And yes even though I am a Christian I still believe in intelligent life on other planets.)
Damn the diseases, they want to create their own patented species.
I’m thinking it must be ok with God, otherwise, He wouldn’t have created these people with the ability to do these things.
He created the people who had the ability to kill millions in Germany and the USSR. He created the people who flew planes into buildings killing thousands.
He creates the people. He doesn’t inspire them to action.
Such is free will.
We now know when life begins, 15 days. No?
“I’m thinking it must be ok with God, otherwise, He wouldn’t have created these people with the ability to do these things.”
No. God gave us free will. It is evil that makes man do such things.
“We now know when life begins, 15 days. No?”
Excellent catch!!!!
"Werewolf Women of the SS", coming soon to a theater near you.
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.