Animal-Human Hybrids Spark Controversy

[latazyo]

its ok to engage in debate in your own topic

you can make some claims about human influences, but my climatology professor doesn't even believe that we've seen any effects of global warming, but green people sure do, what would he know, he's just got a phD

[Shad0w]

Very true Latazyo, check out my last post

[AshleyL]

Originally posted by marisa
But on the flip side of that, how about tomorrow a cure for EVERYTHING exsists? That would also be the short trip to our own extinction in a way.

Marisa

EXACTLY, as upsetting and harsh as it sounds, we are organisms that are supposed to die. It's really unfortunate when it happens tragically, but it is a necessary thing. There's speculation that in 2050 the life expectancy of humans in first world countried will reach 120 years. that's CRAZY!

IMO, scientists should be working to equalize medical oppotunities around the world, rather than lenghtening the lives of the already extremely fortunate.

[chas*e]

I say holding science back is also a mistake...spare parts will soon be available with samples of existing DNA from the specific part needed....great idea.....as for building a new human...well we can't handle the ones that are here already. but to hold back scientific development due to ethical or religious reasons never worked in the past why should it work now....go for it

[Darren179]

Shadow, I was not saying that people should not see doctors I just think there should be a defining line between what is saving a life and what is recreating it.

[varanus69]

SHADOW: I understand what your saying ,all i am saying is humans are the only species that has the capability to over populate an area on a continued basis ( rabbits over populate, than there is not enough food and there is a die off or less reproduction for example.)

Originally posted by Shad0w
varanus69,

Respectfully, that's an incredibally shallow thing to say...

Tell that to the parents of a 2 year old child that needs a heart transplant due to some form of heart failure...

heart transplant is one thing but would you want your child to be half human and half "creature" just to survive. And i hope all of our children are healthy incase anyone thinks i'm a monster.

[i]And I hope that one day you dont find yourself in need of an organ due to disease or accident... should we let ALL sick people just die because there are too many of us around?[/B]

I live by my own beliefs... i have told my wife that if i am sick or in an accident and messed up real bad that i don't want any heroic measures takin, by that i mean no long term life support ( if i'm not better in a month and docs say it ain't good , pull the plug)
and no organ transplants and stuff. basically if modern medicine or surgury to repair ( not replace) whats messed up than no more will be done.. I personally don't want to be someone thats 110 years old with multiple parts from misc. orhangin on for every last breath.

[i]I really hope your idea of putting genes into snakes to produce morphs over research to help humans is a joke... /me shakes his head [/B]

and yes this was a joke, as i am against that but it would be cool to see what that would look like evan if it was just photoshopped. hope i have not offended you or anyone it was not my intention.

[varanus69]

Darren179 : you pretty much said there word for word the way i feel. lets save lives not recreate them.

[marisa]

"IMO, scientists should be working to equalize medical oppotunities around the world, rather than lenghtening the lives of the already extremely fortunate."

Very good point. Why all this talk about curing this and that, when some people STILL have no access to simple treatments, drugs, AIDS help etc.

Marisa

[Shad0w]

varanus69,

Its comforting that you clarified your position Thank you and I respect your opinions.

No one wants to see their child 1/2 human, but if science can bring about the opportunity where if a child needs a new heart.. and they can grow a new one through donor animals, that is genetically identical to that childs DNA profile... WHY NOT? Imagine, transplant patients that do not need to take multitudes of immuno suppresive drugs... No transplant complications, because that new heart is in essence themselves...

Its not like we are NOT doing transplants as it is... this is just a better way of doing it... with far less complications for the patients...

Marisa,

The idea of equalizing medical opportunities is NOT the job of scientists (they do research)... thats the job of politicians and governments .. and as always.. thats ALL about money... Unfortunately...

[marisa]

It's obviously not their job at providing easier access to things, but it certaintly COULD be their job to create things cheaper, better, and faster.

But in the end they will do what they want. I for one have only one thing to say, and those who read fark.com will get it...."Still no cure for cancer"



Marisa

[sneaky_boa]

OK...enough scientist bashing!! I happen to be one and will have my PhD ina year or so....now for the educated opinion from INSIDE these labs. Firstly..they already did the whole mouse human brain thing a few years back in Japan, except it was human brain cells and a mongolian gerbil (seriously). Next...you are all assuming that what is going on here is creating these creatures for 'spare parts' and what not. These animals are tools in our research...just like transgenic mice help us figure out which genes do what, these 'chimeras' (I hate that term) help us to understand how things are working. Scientists (at least in my lab group) are smart enough to understand the public limitations of these human-animal hybrids, and realistic enough to know that just because we use it as a TOOL in our research does not mean it is for public comsumption (these animals get VERY expensive). Scientists are not these evil mad-minded individuals, we are caring people who are not just ****ing around for the fun of it, but rather to BETTER existence (which includes the development of affordable treatments for EVERYONE). It is highly unlikely that anytime soon we are going to be receiving livers which have been grown inside of pigs (is that REALLY so bad by the way? think of it like surrogate mothers). More than likley we will become more mechanised first...there is more viable research in cyborg technology than human cross-species tissue growth. Please consider the source of you information, much of the research that is going on is dumbed down for public comsumption and you only hear part of the story. And please...enough with the scientist bashing, you will thank us when we are able to rehabilitate your walking when your spinal cord has been severed.

As for this cheaper and better access to medical care...this is not a problem that scientists are creating. We design drugs with cost in mind and pharmaceutical companies gouge the customers. The cost involved in drug development and manufacture is a fraction of what the product is being sold at. And drugs which are developped and are not 'profitable' according to the industry have their productions ceased and their scientists fired. You guys don't know the whole of any of this (and neither do I) so please...think carefully!

[Rikki]

And more people continue to use animals as there toys....

[sneaky_boa]

ok...when you have an infection I suggest you not seek out drug treatment as all drugs have been tested on animals. Also don't use cosmetics, drink milk, eat anything with preservatives, paint your walls, have diagnostics for ANY health condition performed, eat any crops which have had pesticides used on them, get braces (all materials were tested on animals), wear any clothing which has been dyed or otherwise processed in any way...the list goes on and on.

Everything fit for human use, consumption and prtability has been tested on animals in one way or another so you best get to living naked in the woods on your own, farming for your self cause unless you do, you are kind of being a hypocrite!

[sneaky_boa]

also be sure not to use any substrates for your reptiles (yes paper towels included cause chemicals in their processing have been tested on animals)

[concept3]

varanus, If i had to be part human part creature too survive by all means put an animal heart in me. I dont care If it came to my kids dying or a couple lab animals anyone who would not pic the animals is a liar.