BBC: Plan to create human-cow embryos

[blackhorse]

Plan to create human-cow embryos

UK scientists have applied for permission to create embryos by fusing human DNA with cow eggs.

Researchers from Newcastle University and Kings College, London, have asked the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for a three-year licence.

The hybrid human-bovine embryos would be used for stem cell research and would not be allowed to develop for more than a few days.

<snip>

The scientists also plan to examine the way the cells are reprogrammed after fusion to see if there are useful processes they could replicate in the laboratory.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6121280.stm

[Ian David]

1. Mancow?

[Rockholm]

37. Santorum warned up about this!

Oh, wait. That was "man-dog." My bad.

[Cronus Protagonist]

57. A REAL Cowboy?

Couldn't resist

:evilgrin:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

78. No, womancow. And it's old news. They succeeded 36 years ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Malkin

[area51]

87. Damn.

I was gonna say Barbara Bush ("Nothing scarier for thee than me.") :evilgrin:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Wow, that should drive the fundies nuts.

But I can think of a few people whom I've suspected of being human-cow hybrids. Maybe they've been at this longer than they admit.

[HereSince1628]

8. I imagine chimeras are one of their worst nightmares.

[zanne]

31. Damn DU

Whenever I come here I wind up having to use the dictionary. Well, time to look up "chimera".

[Gormy Cuss]

35. But it's a good word to know.

Especially in the mythological sense, even though it's the medical/scientific definition meant here.
:-)

[zanne]

60. But isn't it also a type of outdoor fireplace? nt

[blackhorse]

3. Heh,

... someone is bound to have a beef with this idea! Wouldn't want to milk this story too much, though.

BH

[semillama]

28. Are you kidding?

This story is the stock for the media. It lets them steer discussion away from vital issues. Yet another iceberg calving off the glacier of big bad science. I of course find it udderly ridiculous.

[Nederland]

76. Nicely done--both of you (nt)

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. Why not a cow / woman hybrid?

You want to see a Repug head spin, tell him that he can play with her mammaries. :rofl:

[mom cat]

49. You mean Barbara Bush?

[Cronus Protagonist]

58. That's an insult to cows

I'm just sayin'

[mom cat]

63. Moo! You are right. I apologize to all bovines.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

This would come in handy for nursing

mothers.

[truthisfreedom]

5. man/cow... can? mow?

hucow?

[mitchtv]

19. Man-cow?

Hermaphroditic?

[PermanentRevolution]

21. Macacow?

[distantearlywarning]

6. Fundie heads exploding in 3....2....1.... n/t

[SoCalDem]

7. Woo-Hoo..or should that be Woo-MOO?

[Debau2005]

24. That's just wrong!

:rofl: :spray:

Thanks for the laugh!

[Lars39]

47. You'd think I'd know better than to eat while reading here by now.

:rofl:

[OneBlueSky]

9. no big deal . . . they've been crossing humans with horses for years . . .

and the American people have been voting their hind ends into office for almost as long . . .

[xchrom]

10. oh this is going to cause SUCH a shit storm...

[slackmaster]

17. I know - It's going to be a hoot!

:nuke:

[xchrom]

26. lol --oh you're gonna see that and lots of this before ...

:mad: :mad: :mad: :grr: :grr: :grr: and then :nuke:

[FVZA_Colonel]

11. So the age of the moreau is almost upon us.

This should certainly be interesting.

[dipsydoodle]

12. Bush and Harris

I assume.

[VegasWolf]

13. I've heard of a few FReepers working on human-sheep bonding. nt

[Teaser]

14. I, for one, welcome our man-cow overlords

nt

[greenman3610]

15. Call me Luddite, but I find this disturbing

I'm not convinced that all genetic research
is going in the right direction.

I don't understand the rationale for the
above research, but something strikes me as
profoundly disrespectful, not so much of
some kind of "natural order" of things,
as a lack of respect for what
we don't know.

On the other hand, this technique holds
much promise for attacking certain problems...

for instance - research to make better bugs for
more efficient ethanol production= good

PNAC style research to target specific
human racial characteristics with bio weapons = bad

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. So you oppose it...

but you admit you don't understand it.

Hmm.

[NashVegas]

23. Where Does It Stop?

Luddite or no, the general population has a right to demand some ethical guidelines that the (overwhelming) majority can approve.

I understand this: no person or entity has any fucking business taking out patents on life forms. And I understand this: the ability to make a buck through patents is the #1 reason any of this research is being financially backed, Michael Fox or no.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

25. I keep hearing the word "ethics" being thrown around.

All these self-appointed "bio-ethists" on TV telling me we shouldn't have stem cell research. And that's just damn unethical. It seems to me that the most unethical people around are the ones who keep bringing up ethics.

"I understand this: no person or entity has any fucking business taking out patents on life forms. And I understand this: the ability to make a buck through patents is the #1 reason any of this research is being financially backed, Michael Fox or no."

Well now you've gone and confused genetic modification with stem cell research.

Why is it the people who haven't taken a science class since jr. high are the ones telling scientists what they should and should not do? As if I didn't know.

[pnwmom]

42. The OP says that the hybrids are to be used for stem cell research.

You seem to be supporting this particular research though it doesn't appear that your understanding of the science involved is any more advanced than the poster who questioned it.

Scientists have little training in ethics and don't deserve our blind trust any more than politicians do. They shouldn't be making these decisions on their own.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

64. "it doesn't appear"

My understanding? Better check your understanding. I'm perfectly aware it's stem cell research which is why I said the person above is confusing GM with stem cell research.


"Scientists have little training in ethics"

Scientists understand the situation a lot better than you do.

"They shouldn't be making these decisions on their own."

Actually, yeah, they should. And unless you've got a good reason why they shouldn't, you haven't got any business telling them they shouldn't. It's just plain unethical.

[NashVegas]

73. Har Har

The problem isn't the scientists, the problem is the financial strategists who use scientists' findings. The latter group has no interest in ethics, their only interest is making a buck, and they will and they do mass expensive PR campaigns to quell their critics.

I don't condemn scientists for their curiosity, it's those who blatantly disregard what outcomes may result from their work and cry, 'don't blame me, I'm just the scientist,' that I have no respect for.

"The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking...the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker." - Albert Einstein

[pnwmom]

80. Scientists invented the atomic bomb.

Just because a scientist invented something doesn't mean it's good for society. Society needs to set some limits, with a view to the good of the whole, because science is devoted to the pure pursuit of knowledge -- it isn't in the nature of science to limit itself.

By the way, I have a professional background working with physicians and scientists on ethical issues. Do you?

P.S. I'm not opposed to stem cell research, just to the idea that scientists should be pursuing any and all research unfettered by government limitations or ethical review.

[Random_Australian]

86. Not to aggravate matters or anything, but doesn't the OP say they

were applying for a grant? So wouldn't this not fall under the "scientists should be pursuing any and all research unfettered by government limitations or ethical review" category?

And finally, where are these scientists who don't have ethical review?


(Or I might have misunderstood what you are saying)

[crikkett]

45. I'm opposed to nuclear waste

and have very little understanding of it.

And your point?

[greenman3610]

50. I'm not sure that the researchers understand it

We are like idiot children with machine guns.

I am generally pro technology, but anyone
who has absolutely no misgivings about
these powerful tools has not been paying
attention the last 60 years.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

66. Why? Because you don't?

[zanne]

32. I think it's horrible.

I hope it doesn't happen. I'm not a religious person, but I believe in the laws of nature. Don't disrespect your "mother".

[Ian David]

40. Well, that would kill all most of the diabetics

All those insulin-dependent diabetic freaks of nature shooting themselves full of human-pig hybrid and human-yeast hybrid chemicals.

Oh, the horror!

[crikkett]

46. Many of whom probably got their disease from consuming

corn syrup from genetically modified plants.

[PaulaFarrell]

56. Not true

They could go back to using animal-detived insulin. There may be pros and cons to both types,but what is certainly true is that GM 'humulin' is more expensive, and some people have adverse reactions to it. But kudos for implying that anyone with ethical objections to this type of research is happy for diabetics to drop dead. Not much different really from implying that stem-cell research murders babies. Same tactic used in pursuit of different aenda.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

65. Animal-derived insulin has nasty side effects.

"But kudos for implying that anyone with ethical objections to this type of research is happy for diabetics to drop dead."

That's basically what it boils down to. They're no different than Rush Limbaugh.

[PaulaFarrell]

79. Actually, it's you who are no different

You are the one implying that poeple cannot think an issue through on their own and arrive at an opinin. Rather, they must accept from an exterior source (in this case you) that there is a black and white answer to everything. Animal insulin may or may not have nasty side effects; human-derived insulin certainly does. But you appear to want to shut down the debate. You say people concerned about the future of the entire human race, and indeed life on earth, are petty, bigoted, stupid, people. You couldn't be more wrong, but I guess it makes you feel good to categorise poeple in this way. You are only demonstrating your own intolerance.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

82. Oh, people can thinking it through.

"You are the one implying that poeple cannot think an issue through on their own and arrive at an opinin."

The problem is that people don't think it through. And they end up being against stem cells.

"Rather, they must accept from an exterior source (in this case you) that there is a black and white answer to everything. Animal insulin may or may not have nasty side effects; human-derived insulin certainly does. But you appear to want to shut down the debate."

This isn't like choosing regular or decaf. There aren't two sides of the issue on this. Either you're for stem cell research, or you're a rotten fuck.

"You say people concerned about the future of the entire human race, and indeed life on earth, are petty, bigoted, stupid, people."

No, I'm saying that people against stem cell research don't give a shit about the future of the human race.

[Kashka-Kat]

89. Im with you on this...

Just bc we clever apes know how to do something... doesn't mean we should...

Some people tend to disdain knowledge which comes from feeling or intuition or direct experience, but how I live my life-- I put those on equal footing with knowledge which comes from intellectual reasoning. Wisdom comes from balance of all these things...

[razors edge]

16. Soylent Brown?

[VegasWolf]

20. Chimpanzee-human chimera anyone? nt

[shadowknows69]

22. Been there, done that

elected it President.

[Bigmack]

51. I've been wondering about this....

for years. I wonder if the two could just cross?

Enormous impact on ethics.

Would a chimp/human cross have rights.... any more than animal cruelty laws?

Could they be used like slaves... or for dangerous jobs? Or as soldiers?

[AlienGirl]

81. I hope, for their sake, that human-chimp hybrids will never have to exist

If they were created, no matter how intelligent and in all ways mentally "human" they were, their legal status would be no different from that of any other animal used for research. And that is most likely how they would be used.

Tucker

[Jim Sagle]

27. Kill these mad scientists. Kill them all. No sarc whatsoever.

[Miss Chybil]

29. People won't eat GM food. Do you think they'll go for GM people?

I don't trust it. If I needed stem cells, I'd want them to be entirely human. You can't fool Mother Nature.

[TankLV]

30. Old news - we already have Candy Crowley...

Not exactly breaking news to us here on DU...

[goforit]

33. Only reptilians would do this.

[Megahurtz]

34. Gee, how'de THAT happen?

:sarcasm:

:rofl:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

36. It's backed by MooveOn.Org, I believe.

:hide:

[Infinite Hope]

38. Let's stick with stem cells and not this other garbage.

But hopefully it'll stay out of U.S. media until Wednesday.

[nealmhughes]

39. It is for disease research. For minotaurs!

[Countdown_3_2_1]

41. Anna Nicole? nt

[CatholicEdHead]

43. Are these the "Human-Animal Hybrids" that was in the SOTU

a year or two back?

[Mizmoon]

44. But will they be prevented from marrying?

that's what's on the minds of Bush voters.

[Canuckistanian]

48. "Could I interest you in my liver?"

"It's very tender."

Anyone remember that from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?

[Poll_Blind]

59. LOL! Meeting the meat.

LOL! "If you don't mind I'll just nip off and shoot me'self!"

PB

[Bigmack]

52. How about a human/sheep cross....

for them boys in Wyoming?

Them's good pussy!

[Odin2005]

53. We already have one of those, her name is Babs Bush!

Seriously, though, I don't really have a problem with this as long as the embryo isnt allowed to develop for more then a few days, basically the same ethical guidlines researchers are supposed to do with human cloning.

The first few cell divisions are NOT directed by the embryo's own DNA, but the mother's messenger RNA (RNA made by the unfertilized egg while it's still in the ovary) in the cytoplasm, after a few divisions the embryo's DNA takes over and starts churning out it's own RNA. I assume they are studying how puting in a nucleus with very different DNA affects this, and thus give us info on how best to conduct human cloning for stem cell research.

[greblc]

54. Hmmm....

Lions Ligers and Lears...oh my! - Lions Ligers and Lears...oh my!

Dam you Evil Scientists! I want Flying Monkeys!

[Sabriel]

55. If it brings down the cost of milk and yogurt, I'm all for it.

I just paid almost $7/gallon for organic. If a hucow can do it more cheaply, I say bring it on.

[CJCRANE]

61. Isn't that a minotaur?

Time to start investing in labyrinths.

[Javaman]

62. Well, technically yes, the minotaur was a bull, this would be more like a

cowotaur...

Snark!

:rofl:

[Dob Bole]

67. That's pretty sick...

Not in itself...if they use the cells for research purposes, that's one matter. But who's to say someone won't actually try to grow cowmans?

[CreekDog]

68. Why would they clone Rush Limbaugh?

I just don't get it.

[Anakin Skywalker]

84. Rush is a Human-Hippo

[Akoto]

74. Surely, this will bring about Armoogeddon.

I smell a B-grade Sci-Fi Channel flick coming.

[Random_Australian]

88. Me. Well, I say no-one will grow cowmans.

Not a one person.

Why? Because the things die like fuckery if the coding isn't proper. And half-cow or whatever would NOT be proper coding.

[enki23]

69. great. but it won't exactly be child's play.

.

[eppur_se_muova]

70. Ich bin ein Hamburgher! nt

[Matariki]

71. some people think those little grey aliens are people from the future

maybe THIS would explain their big eyes and penchant for dissecting cattle?

yes i know my post is weird, but no weirder than scientists wanting to make cow-people.

[LeftHander]

72. Mancows: "I am a man! Not a holstien!" ....nt

[GoddessOfGuinness]

75. The farmer and the cowman should be friends

Oh the farmer and the cowman should be friends
One man likes to push a plough
The other is half-man, half-cow,
But that's no reason why they cain't be friends

Embryonic folks should stick together
Embryonic folks should all be pals
Cowboys dance with farmer's daughters
Farmers dance with mad-cow diseased gals

[DarkmoonIkonoklast]

90. Whooooooa-klahoma!

{   Green... WRONG color}
   I'm having a hard time, though, with the rhythm of that last line!
   OK, the man-chimp DOES explain "*", and I guess Rummy, AssCross and dead-eyed Dick COULD all be explained as examples of man-bull, but what explains The Steel Condo-lia? I mean, bio-research only goes so far: THIS atrocity can ONLY be an example of AI research run amok!
   The '08 elections -- assuming they actually take place -- COULD break new ground, as the first election to feature an android candidate... or should that be a Condo-date?

   Oh crap! Condo-date... machine sex... NOW I'm feeling ill! :puke:

[stepnw1f]

77. This Oughta Scare Fundis to the polls

jezus...

[Anakin Skywalker]

83. There Already Are Hybrids! Prince Charles is One of Them.

A human-horse. OK. That was silly.

[progressivebydesign]

85. geez, thought it said "eyebrows!" gotta read that closer. n/t

[FedUpWithIt All]

91. This simply may not be necessary....

The justification that it is difficult and necessary to harvest human eggs for the research is fast becoming outdated. The stem cells found in placental tissue and amniotic fluid is nearly identical to embryonic tissue stem cells.

The problems with the core blood samples of the past is that they were technically more like adult stem cells and therefore would age too quickly. This is not the case with the placental and amniotic stem cells. They are quite flexible. There is one last important factor. Research has been showing that these types of stem cells do not create the tumors typically found with embryonic stem cells.

Why not invest money into these lines that would be more widely acceptable and are just as affective, if not more so. It is the acceptability that would allow the research to move along at a much faster rate. Less time battling ethics and more time creating cures.

I don't think i will ever understand the concept of taking the path with most resistance when so many lives could be helped in the meantime.