Where's the ethical dilema? I can't see it.

[Pappa]

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/peter ... e-too-far/

Human-cow hybrids: have the scientists gone too far?

"It’s a delayed April Fool". Like many others, that was my first thought when I heard about the dairy cows in China that have had human DNA added to their genome so that they can produce milk containing human proteins.

Sadly, it seems that the story is true. Transgenic cows, effectively human-cow hybrids, have been produced. It’s another step along a road filled with ethical dilemmas. I know that I’ll be accused of being a Luddite, but I’m filled with misgivings. Yet again, science has tunnel vision: proponents see only the positive aspects of what they’re doing, forgetting the law of unintended and unpredicted consequences.

Transgenic animals – genetically engineered to have a man-made genetic code – are not new. The term was coined thirty years ago, and transgenic laboratory animals have become increasingly important as research subjects. Their use includes:

• the basic biological study of regulatory gene elements
• in medical research, as models of human disease
• in toxicology as test animals
• in agriculture and aquaculture to improve yields of meat and other animal products
• and, as in this latest example, in biotechnology as producers of specific proteins

Most of this has been going on out of the public eye, but there has been plenty of debate in the scientific community about the ethical issues of transgenic animals. Areas of concern include animal welfare, human health and environmental issues. They include animal suffering caused by the expression of transgenes, including early mortality, as well as cancers or neurodegenerative diseases in animals that survive. Other issues include the possible escape of transgenic animals into the environment, as well as the inevitable progression of technology.

Does anyone really think that it will stop with animals' genomes? The genie is out of the bottle: modification of the human genome is now inevitable. We're soon going to create animals with increasing levels of human-type consciousness.

There are international bodies that lay out ethical guidelines for the use of transgenic animals, but there’s no obligation for scientists to comply with these.

Michael Crichton predicted this in his novel, Next, where hybrids of primates and humans were created to harvest their organs for human medical use. Do we want this to happen? And if not, what can we do to stop it?

[Azathoth]

Luddites, luddites all the way down.

[Blind groper]

No ethical dilemma. Just a moron level journalist who cannot distinguish between a thought and a gonadal itch.

[pErvinalia]

The author lists some ethical issues right there in the article after the dot points. Whether they apply to this specific case, I don't know.

Without knowing the specifics of what's going on here, the issue for with me genetic modification is one of practical/physical considerations. Is the genetically modified organism going to interfere with the ecosystem processes of other organisms (usually the one it is most similar too - i.e. based on)? These are the questions that really need to be cleared up before any genetically modified organism is released for exploitation.

[Audley Strange]

But but... what if Octowolfboy escapes and destroys Diana's Memorial?

[Thinking Aloud]

OMG!! Today, cow produces special milk!! Tomorrow we're "going to create animals with increasing levels of human-type consciousness."

One hell of a leap...

[Cormac]

OMG!! Today, cow produces special milk!! Tomorrow we're "going to create animals with increasing levels of human-type consciousness."

One hell of a leap...

It will be Planet of the Cows!

I for one will welcome our bovine overlords

[cronus]

There's countless tasks a part human part animal hybrid could carry out. Production line work which is mind numbingly boring for a human being would be easily done by a animal with the dexterity of human yet the reward patterns of cow. Munching on grass and living in cattle pens would massively lower the costs of production. Can you imagine how stupid we will look from the perspective of future generations if we don't do this?

[Rum]

But..but..

[JimC]

There may not be an ethical dilemma in this particular instance, if it is about a very controlled collection of dairy cattle that express certain specific human proteins in their milk.

However, the potential exists for harmful consequences in future bio-engineering, so a gung-ho "follow the science" mentality at any costs is equally to be avoided as the extreme anti-science Luddism of the green fanatic...

[Horwood Beer-Master]

...effectively human-cow hybrids...

So I suppose if you paint a VW Golf the right shade of red it becomes a "Golf/London-Bus hybrid" does it?

[Tyrannical]

Will it be on the menu at Milliways