The Eye of the Chimera
Posted on Wednesday, September 5, 2007The chimeras are back.
Human-animal hybrids shuffling and grunting their way through the blasted ruins of Old Europe, in search of the few surviving Makers. When a man is dragged from the rubble, a dull and ancient vengeance unpuzzles the chimera’s single eye as its claws shred the hated Maker.
Oh wait. No. Sorry.
Actually it’s only a bit of DNA research that could ultimately lead to a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, Parkinson’s Disease, bi-polar psychosis and cancer but to hear people talking, you’d think the end of the world was nigh.
The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority in Britain has allowed a specific kind of inter-species hybrid, where human DNA is placed inside an animal egg cell. The result will be a cytoplastic hybrid, 99.9% human, 0.1% animal. In the specific research proposed, I think the animal will be a cow. It’s happening because there’s a shortage of human eggs, and the idea is to create stem cells to help treat degenerative diseases.
Now, there’s a lot of objection to all this on ethical grounds, and I’m certainly not going to belittle anyone who holds sincere beliefs that this work is wrong.
Eh. Sorry. That was a lie. I am actually going to make juvenile and disparaging remarks about these people and their sincerely-held beliefs.
You see, the scientists are going to create a bunch of 32 or 64 cells. Maybe 128. Perhaps even 256. This is not a person. It isn’t even 99.9% a person. Not 50%. Not 25%. In fact it isn’t even enough of a person to be elected President. It’s a glob of gloop.
Furthermore, this glob of gloop will help to eliminate things like cystic fibrosis and Alzheimers, but I think I know what the real reason is behind some of the objections, or at least the religious-based ones. If the scientists took it a step further and produced an embryo that was maybe half cowboy, half cattle, you’d be looking at a very dangerous scenario. Cows with guns, and only half a soul. What if he died and arrived at the Pearly Gates? How much of him would St Peter let in and how much would be sent below to the barbecue?
Is that the real problem?
If such a creature lived, would it be the end of centuries of Christian philosophy?
How shallow.
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Previously
In_vitro Fertilisation Court Case
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Stumble it!
September 6th, 2007
I used to drive an old Toyota Chimera one time–it had a Honda engine though. That any good?
September 6th, 2007
Just back from the pub, I see.
September 6th, 2007
Yadda yadda yadda, have they not heard of the Minotaur?
Seriously though, GMO-Sapiens is not too far off. Copyright your DNA while the going is good. Otherwise our descendants will have to pay GMO-Sapiens Inc. to be allowed use enzymes and amino acids the company has ‘clinically proven’ and patented. Claims to have inherited such biochemical agents naturally will be legally resisted with the support of governments in thrall (hock) to corporate interests.
Corporations are going to ‘intellectual property’ our asses, believe it. If they can do it with food they can do it with anything.
September 6th, 2007
As long as the ethical embryos glooped in the missionary position and there was no glooping climax, I have no objection
September 6th, 2007
When ever there is a good idea there will be people afraid of what will happen if it succeeds. Organised religion has always been fearful of people discovering more ways to fix things. If we can cure things we wont have to pray to a non existent God for a cure.
What amazes me is that they never understand that if there god did exist and he is omnipotent then he foresaw this coming and allowed it to happen so then its actually would be Gods will and so should be allowed.
September 6th, 2007
whats error 404 was getting it all day
September 6th, 2007
That’d be God, McDara. He’s not happy with you.
September 6th, 2007
yeah, ive been gettin it all day too, and error 404 as well.
*ba dum tish*
September 6th, 2007
Thats what I feared alright
September 6th, 2007
Christ Bock you don’t believe all that old shite about cures for cancer do you?
The nerds just want to see what they’ll come up with if they mix monkey spunk with coca cola.
Hey, back off man, I’m a scientist.
September 6th, 2007
Conan: The Minotaur indeed. And produced in such an interesting manner too. I must write some time about the role of James Joyce and Mother Teresa in the whole sorry affair.
Sniffle & Cry: No objection! he ejaculated.
Macdara: I made a shit of some security settings. I even got locked out myself for a while.
Gimmeaminute: A Lebanese God is the worst of the lot, I hear.
Sheepworrier: Lucky sheep.
Dr Maroon: I’d believe anything. I even believe Watson and Crick worked out DNA on their own.
Did you ever get to shout that at an opera? Let me through! I’m a scientist!