Chimera
- Jan 9, 2006 -
In a survey of public opinion concerning the transplanting of genetically modified animal organs into humans, people in the United Kingdom have overwhelmingly rejected the idea. Many in the scientific community believe that xenotransplants could one day solve the critical shortage of transplant organs. But the public is not so convinced. In fact, many reject the whole idea because of potential problems with introducing animal viruses into humans. There are also many who believe the procedure is unethical. The creation of “organ farms” was also criticized. Malcolm Eames of the Policy Studies Institute, who led the survey, says, “This is a big blow to xenotransplantation.”
Ian Sample, “Public Opposes Use of Animal Organs in Human Transplants,” The Guardian, June 11, 2004
While the British overwhelmingly reject the idea of using genetically modified animal organs as transplants in humans (see above), two-thirds of Australians would accept them if they would save a life. The New South Wales branch president of Transplant Australia, Dr. Antony Harding—who is himself a liver transplant recipient—said the wide acceptance of Australians to the use of animal organs was surprising. “The willingness to take an animal organ is quite a major step,” he said. Another transplant recipient who lived on dialysis for a year is a 23-year-old university student. She said that any opportunity to meet the needs of those requiring transplants should be explored.
Leanne Edmistone, “Aussies Fine with Animal Organ Transplants,” The Courier Mail (Queensland, Australia), August 23, 2004
“The latest focus of apprehension over the headlong rush of biotechnology involves the creation of animal-human hybrids, known as chimeras. Distinguished groups of ethicists and scientists have been pondering what steps should be taken, if any, to head off the nightmarish possibility of a human brain’s becoming trapped inside an animal form . . . Although it once seemed odd and unsettling, no one worries much anymore about transplanting pig valves into human hearts or human fetal tissue into mice. The key reason may be that these manipulations don’t visibly change the fundamental nature of either the human or the animal. People become much more concerned when they think a transplant may alter the mind or appearance of the recipient.
“Nobody seems eager for a human with an animal tail, or an animal with human hands or sensibilities. Fortunately, real-world scientists have much more prosaic experiments in mind. In the superheated area of embryonic stem cell research, for example, they want to put lots of human-brain stem cells into mice to see how they perform in a real body as opposed to a laboratory culture, possibly shedding light on how to treat neurological diseases.
“The researchers appear to be proceeding cautiously, and the scientific community is erecting ethical barriers to guide such research. This is hardly a freak show.”
Excerpted from “It’s Science, Not a Chimera,” http://www.nytimes.com , May 12, 2005 [Access fee required]