Catholic Bishops say human-animal hybrids deserve rights - Page 2

*iris* · 06-27-2007, 05:12 PM

If what's proposed in the article were to actually be carried out, I think what you'll get is a 100% human being, genetically, but with an uncomfortably high probability of birth defects. A clone, essentially, if I understand the procedure under debate.

That's not the only outcome possible, since there are other things you can do with those cells. Right now scientists are talking about guidelines so you don't get really frightening chimeras, like mice with human brains or something.

*Mecha Cow* · 06-27-2007, 05:18 PM

From what I understand the issue being discussed is whether or not these hybrid fetuses should have rights as if they were living human beings (For the sake of convenience, let's assume that they are not, at this point). You bring up an interesting point though. Would it be ethical to allow a fetus (Regardless of its genetic level of 'humanity') to fully develop when the risk of birth defect is extremely high?

RaphistheBest · 06-27-2007, 05:23 PM

Wow, this thread definately heated up since I was last here.

Anyhow, I agree with a number of you. Evolution has evidence to support it, but there isn't enough to make it more than a theory. These chimeras being given human rights even though their sole purpose was for scientific experimentation leaves me scratching my head. If these embryos were allowed to become living, breathing creatures... I'm just not sure where I stand on that. Even if the percentage of human DNA would be 99% it was still created by science and I can honestly see Catholics turning up their noses at something like that because, well, it wasn't created by nature and therefore an abomination.

And intelligence shouldn't be reason why a creature should or shouldn't have rights. What about people with special needs? Since their level of intelligence is lower than that of a "normal" human being should they not have rights, or at least less rights than that of "normal" people?

And I also agree that it's absurd that the Church is against stem cell research but it's okay to do this. That doesn't make sense to me.

**ThirdMarioBro** · 06-27-2007, 05:26 PM

Okay, this thread has turned into a religious debate, and threads such as that are specifically forbidden because they start fights, and one is brewing here. I'm pouring water on the kettle before it lights up in flames.

06-27-2007, 05:12 PM	#21
iris moddy mod mod Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: finally escaped the lab Posts: 1,886	If what's proposed in the article were to actually be carried out, I think what you'll get is a 100% human being, genetically, but with an uncomfortably high probability of birth defects. A clone, essentially, if I understand the procedure under debate. That's not the only outcome possible, since there are other things you can do with those cells. Right now scientists are talking about guidelines so you don't get really frightening chimeras, like mice with human brains or something. __________________ Appeal to nobler motives. Like pie. [ life is at best bitter sweet ]

06-27-2007, 05:18 PM	#22
Mecha Cow Gorgeous and modest too Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 3,699	From what I understand the issue being discussed is whether or not these hybrid fetuses should have rights as if they were living human beings (For the sake of convenience, let's assume that they are not, at this point). You bring up an interesting point though. Would it be ethical to allow a fetus (Regardless of its genetic level of 'humanity') to fully develop when the risk of birth defect is extremely high? __________________

06-27-2007, 05:26 PM	#24
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	Okay, this thread has turned into a religious debate, and threads such as that are specifically forbidden because they start fights, and one is brewing here. I'm pouring water on the kettle before it lights up in flames. __________________

06-27-2007, 05:23 PM	#23
RaphistheBest Foot Soldier Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hell Posts: 174	Wow, this thread definately heated up since I was last here. Anyhow, I agree with a number of you. Evolution has evidence to support it, but there isn't enough to make it more than a theory. These chimeras being given human rights even though their sole purpose was for scientific experimentation leaves me scratching my head. If these embryos were allowed to become living, breathing creatures... I'm just not sure where I stand on that. Even if the percentage of human DNA would be 99% it was still created by science and I can honestly see Catholics turning up their noses at something like that because, well, it wasn't created by nature and therefore an abomination. And intelligence shouldn't be reason why a creature should or shouldn't have rights. What about people with special needs? Since their level of intelligence is lower than that of a "normal" human being should they not have rights, or at least less rights than that of "normal" people? And I also agree that it's absurd that the Church is against stem cell research but it's okay to do this. That doesn't make sense to me.