So what do you all think of things like this, which I got from the wires over at salon.com?<br><br>"By manipulating swine sperm, Italian researchers have made a strain of pigs that carry human genes in their hearts, livers and kidneys, an advance that could lead to creating herds of pigs that could provide organs for transplanting into humans. <br><br>In a study appearing Tuesday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at the University of Milan report they mixed swine sperm with human DNA to transfer a gene called decay accelerating factor, or DAF. The modified sperm was then used to fertilize pig eggs and produce litters of pigs carrying the human gene."<br><br>I can see the usefulness of the technique, but on the other hand, I'm also terrified at the implications. I can imagine a not too-distant future when bioengineers produce a new "strain" of humanimals to do stuff plain old people can't or won't do. Sort of like Brave New World, I guess.<br><br>Great wits are sure to madness near allied.--John Dryden, "Absalom and Achitophel"

I guess since nobody will let them clone humans for spare parts, they will clone the pigs instead.<br><br>One thing for sure someone will make a horror movie out of it.<br><br>

Sorry to correct you but the statement at the end is exactly what GM protestors want people to believe... We could not genetically engineer "humananimal" as there is not a gene for human intelligence just as there is not a gene fo the trunk of an elephant. Genes are not like exact blue prints they are chemicals nothing more and represent various properties such as eye colour, As a whole our DNA is able to reproduce a Human but only by combination of all the genes not a particular one. We do share quite alot of our genes with pigs to start with its just that we don't use some of them just as pigs do not use some of theirs. The point in this research is for organ donation making pig organs which are less likely to be rejected by the human body, making up the gap between people needing donations and generous people who are willing to donate their organs when they die. <br><br>Anyway sorry about the rant but I have a bottle of wine in me...<br><br>Without sensibility no object would be given to us, without understanding no object would be thought. Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind.<br>-- Immanuel Kant, "Critique of Pure Reason

Yah. Sure. <br><br>Great wits are sure to madness near allied.--John Dryden, "Absalom and Achitophel"

Hey Just because I am drunk does not mean I can't make sense...<br><br>"I'd hate to die twice. It's so boring."<br>- Richard P Feynman, Last Words<br>

Hey Just because I am drunk does not mean I can't make sense...<br><br>Huh???<br><br>

You go there. Tell'em like it is. I'd say the same thing as you and I'm sober!<br><br>Folks are freaking at stuff they have no understanding of and the media isn't exactly explaining the details. That would spoil the sensationalist aspect of things.<br><br><br><br>

Guru is right on. <br>I just attended a conference where many stem cell researchers presented their work. It is terribly sad how hampered they are due to the current legislation passed by the Bush administration. Many of the brightest scientists in this field are moving out of the U.S. for this reason (the collective term for this is "brain drain", very fitting).<br><br>As with any powerful technology, it is appropriate for society to worry about the negative consequences. However, it cannot be ignored or pushed aside; this is the fate of technological progression. Banning human cloning is obvious, banning stem cell research and organ cloning is ludicrous. Let me make a lousy analogy and say its like banning matches. The technology to make fire has already been discovered and by banning matches you have only made it harder to use fire for the good things, while it will not stop people from being hurt by the negative side of fire produced by other means.<br><br>The point is that there is truly an infinite amount of good that could come out of stem cell and cloning research if given the chance. Plus, if some jerks want to clone humans behind the scenes these laws and attitudes aren't going to make any difference anyway.<br><br>

Agree with Trog.<br><br>Also, many scientists say that most of the biggest discoveries were made accidentally by researching an unknown field and looking for something completely different. For example discovery of America, telephone, rubber, vaccine, penicillin, X-Ray, velcro or lego. So, what they're saying is that there is high chance that a solution to a completely different problem can be found. Such as a new processor or the cure to cancer.<br><br>Research is the job of scientists. Blocking it is plain stupidity. To control new discoveries however is the job of law makers. They should adapt the system to the new situation. To create new law's - that's lawmakers job. If lawmakers are afraid of the change they're in the wrong business.<br><br>http://raszl.net

MacGuru, thanks for your explanations. <br><br>