Overview
The current issue facing societies around the world is human-animal hybrids experiments. These experiments are viewed in two lights, positive and negative. The positive of having these tests are that scientists could rid the world of diseases. However on the other hand people see these studies as inhumane and detrimental to everyone’s well being. This paper will be broken down into 6 areas including (1) a brief history of hybrid experiments dating within the decade, (2) a view of the stakeholders in the issue at hand, (3) how people would interact with humans receiving these treatments, (4) cultural and ethical considerations, (5) problems still at hand, and (6) a conclusion.
History
Humans have always loved to mix and combine things weather it is for looks, tastes, and stories. These combinations have always been seen as an improvement until recently. Medical breakthroughs in the cloning industry have been raising more ethical questions than when it initially started. The main issue was playing God. The new issue now is where we draw the line. As of 2003 the first human-animal embryo was created in China at the Shanghai Second Medical University. The creation was a human-rabbit embryo. However the embryo was destroyed before stem cells and research could be collected and studied.
In 2004 another experiment was created in Rochester Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic. The clinic was the first to create pigs that used human blood in place of their own. In 2005, two more hybrids are created the first being a mouse with human brain cells and the second is a feline-human protein hybrid. These hybrids are being created to fight and cure cancers and diseases including Parkinson and Alzheimer’s disease. 2007 and 2008, sheep ...
... middle of paper ...
...
Jha, Alok. "First British Human-animal Hybrid Embryos Created by Scientists | Science | The Guardian." Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian | Guardian.co.uk. Web. 06 Apr. 2011. .
Mott, Maryann. "Animal-Human Hybrids Spark Controversy." Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News. 25 Jan. 2005. Web. 05 Apr. 2011. .
"National Geographic Reports Human/Animal Hybrid Creatures Being Created in Labs Around the World." LifeSiteNews.com. 27 Jan. 2005. Web. 05 Apr. 2011. .
Otchet, Amy. "Jeremy Rifkin: Fears of a Brave New World." Http://www.foet.org/press/interviews/fears%20of%20a%20brave%20new%20world.pdf. Web.
Travis, John. "Pig cells used for Parkinson's disease." Science News. 7 Oct. 1995: 230. Academic OneFile. Web. 26 Feb. 2014
“Scientists Hope to Clone Extinct Species.” CNN. Cable News Network, 4 Nov. 2008. Web. 20
Shaw, Myles. “Animal Cloning—How Unethical Is It?- Draft 1.” UTSA: WRC 1023, 3 Mar 2014. Print.
For centuries scientists have used animals to study the causes of diseases; to test drugs, vaccines and surgical techniques; and to evaluate the safety of chemicals used in pesticides, cosmetics and other products. However, many scientists amongst animal- right activists forbid the use of animals in scientific research regardless how many illnesses are eliminated through the use of animals in scientific research. Amongst animal right activists, David Suzuki also raises concerns towards animal experimentation. In his article, The Pain of Animals, Suzuki argues that humans have no right to exploit animals because--much like humans--animals also experience pain. In contrast to Suzuki, Haldane, in his article, Some Enemies of Science, argues because animals are very similar to humans, scientists have no choice but to use animals in scientific experiments. Both authors greatly contrast their opinions towards animal experimentation; however Haldane has a more explanatory approach towards animal experimentation. He argues animal experimentation should be acceptable because other forms of animal exploitation are acceptable in society. Secondly, unlike other forms of exploitation which seek pleasure in killing animals such as leisure sport, scientists, most likely do not harm animals; if pain is intended on an animal it is strictly for the purpose of scientific advancement. Thirdly, although, animal experimentation may cause some extinction, it is only one of many other causes of extinction, if other causes are not condemned; then neither should animal experiment...
Philips, Trevor. "Human Self-Interest Will Ensure That Animal Experimentation Continues." The Independent (25 Apr. 1998). Rpt. in Animal Experimentation. Ed. Cindy Mur. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. At Issue. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 21 Apr. 2011.
...s Human and Animal Lives." Americans for Medical Progress. (20 March 1999). "Animal Research Holds the Key to Saving Human Lives." Americans for Medical Progress. (20 March 1999). Ball, Matt and Anne Green, and Jack Norris. "Veganism as the Path to Animal Liberation." The Animal's Agenda Sep/Oct 1998: 44-45. Botting, Jack H. and Adrian R. Morrison. "Animal Research is Vital to Medicine." Scientific American. 187 February 1997: 83-85. D. E. "Skin Stand-Ins." Scientific American. September 1990: 168. James-Enger, Kelly. "Beyond Animal Testing." Vegetarian Times. October 1998: 254. "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals." (20 March 1999). "21 Things You May Not Know About the Animal Rights Movement." Americans for Medical Progress. (20 March 1999). U.S. Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Animal Welfare Report Fiscal Year 1997.
The word “chimera” is that usually only related to mythology. However, it can also be used to describe a type of research that combines organisms composed of genetic material (usually cellular) from two distinct species (Eberl & Ballard, 2009). This term can be applied to research using genetic material from humans and animals. With this kind of human-animal hybrid research, scientists are able to perform experiments using things like human embryonic stem cells without injury to people or animals. There is great debate, though, that this kind of research will lead to scientists adding to the development of new species of animals capable of more human characteristics, such as moral thinking, and that these scientists are “playing God.” With careful regulation, scientists should be allowed to continue to perform experiments on human-animal chimeras to be able to advance in knowledge about HIV research, Parkinson’s disease, and other diseases.
ANDi is included in the many mammals that were genetically engineered. ANDi is a special primate, and his name is Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) spelled backward. This primate is significant because he is the closest to the human species. Researchers added a jellyfish’s gene to ANDi’s embryo, and then inserted it into a surrogate mother (Masci). This experiment has challenged and questioned the knowledge of scientists. Because they were able to successfully alter the DNA of an organism that were the closest relatives of humans, scientist began questioning the idea of being able to genetically alter humans. Dr. Paul Berg and his colleagues received the credit of producing the first recombination of DNA molecule (Hadzimichalis
Experimenting on animals, to some, is important if humans want to continue with improving our medical advances (AMPEF 1).
Guerrini, A. 2003. Experimenting with Humans and Animals: from Galen to Animals Rights. Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Satris, Stephen. "Is Cloning Pets Ethically Justified?" Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Moral Issues. 13th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012. N. pag. Print.
The first reason for using animals in biomedical research is to study the mechanism of diseases. Despite animals genomics similarities to humans, most pattern typically do not conclude the same genetic disease as human, that’s why scientists try to change a little bit in the genes because not all animals suffer from the same disease as human. For a reason they manipulated the genes to be able ...
As the medical community works tirelessly to find cures for some of the world’s most deadly diseases, the use of new technology has propelled them to life-saving discoveries, allowing research and testing without actual test subjects. These cures come in the form of medications and treatments that can take years if not decades of development simply to get them ready to be tested. While some of this research is done without any test subjects, many researchers still employ a method that has been used for centuries: testing on animals. The ethics of this method has been the subject of controversy for almost as long as its use and has been a catalyst for discussion, both sides believing themselves to be right.
Orlans, F Barbara. (1990). Animals, Science, and Ethics--Section V. Policy Issues in the Use of Animals in Research, Testing, and Education. The Hastings Center Report, 20(3), S25-30. Retrieved April 28, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1658998).
One of the most unsettling experiments that is conducted includes taking organs from one species and transplanting them into another, which is known as xenotransplantation. The practice of genetic engineering in animals destroys the life of one animal to create specific, unnatural traits in another. Research has shown that people will only agree and accept the practice of animal experimentation when they think that the animals do not experience suffering. However, if the experiments were broadcast more publicly, this issue would not exist.