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I heard about this but think that the"Fear of Frankenstein" syndrome is very strong as evidenced by ESCR opponents vowing to fight harder to stop SCNT "cloning". It is impossible to change these people's minds and despite the win in the election, fighting them is going to be a long, hard slog just like it has been in the past. Ray ----- Original Message ----- From: "M.Schild" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 11:37 PM Subject: British plan human-cow embryo > British plan human-cow embryo > The creation of human-bovine embryos has potential to cure degenerative > diseases. > > > as our knowledge pertaining to stem cell research continues to expand, > British > scientists are submitting plans for the creation of a hybrid embryo - part > human, part cow. The stem cells from the embryos would be used for > research > for treating Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases and strokes. This new > approach to creating stem cells has become necessary due to the shortage > of > human cells and, surprisingly, has not encountered great controversy. > Given > the sensitivity of the issue, expansive dialogue is necessary, but the > focus > should be on the improvement of medical treatment. > In the creation of the embryo, scientists would take a cow's egg, remove > the > nucleus and replace it with the nucleus of a cell taken from an adult > human. > The hybrid would be overwhelmingly human - 99.9 percent - and would be > destroyed after 14 days. Scientists hope to be able to control the > development of these cells so they can be used to replace the failing > cells > that cause degenerative diseases. > Opponents of the embryo believe the development of such a technology will > make > the eventual birth of a human clone inevitable and greatly overstep the > power > of man. The profound implications and power that would come with such a > creation, opponents say, is one never intended for humans. > The dissent, however, is carelessly overlooking the life-saving practices > scientific advancement has offered our society. The reason we have such > marvelous treatments and drugs today is precisely because of scientific > advances in the past 150 years. Furthermore, just because something cannot > be > deemed as "natural" does not make it unethical. What about blood > transfusions? What about transplants? None of these practices are natural, > but all have become essential to medical practice. > Public and scientific discourse over the necessary restrictions and > monitoring > of the practice is important; however, research on the development of a > hybrid embryo that has the potential to help alleviate the pain of > millions > should not be stopped. It is our duty to explore all avenues with the > capacity to help cure public suffering. > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn