This article focuses on the prospect of injecting human pluripotent cells into a pig embryo
in the hoped of growing viable human organs for transplant. This possess a few ethical
dilemmas, the one spoken of most prominently in this article is the fact that this process will
once perfected, allow the formation of brain cells leading to the possibility that a being with
human level self-awareness is then trapped in a pig body. According to bioethicist and legal
scholar Hank Greely of Stanford [the creation of “intermediate forms” of life is thought by some
critics to “denigrate human dignity and blur the line between what is human and what is not,
especially if you believe that we were created in the image of God,”
Over all scientists believe this research could be used to help the 120,000 people waiting
for lifesaving organ transplants. There is also the possibility for this research to expand the
knowledge of a multitude of drug therapies. With this technology researchers could grow a test
sample that would be a better match to the intended recipient without needing to use a lab
animal.
In my opinion the group on which this would have the greatest impact is the chimera
being crated. It is still unknown to what degree of sentience they will have. Then there is the
dilemma that researchers are in essence creating an organism solely for the purpose to be
harvested for spare parts. Though it can be argued that our current society already performs a
similar practice with the raising and slaughter of cattle. Secondarily the impact would be to the
two dozen patients who die daily before they can get a viable transplant. (Begley, 2017)
To focus on the rights of the chimera is a twofold scenario. One in which it is a lab
animal being used as a research subject therefore should not be created with the intent of being
destroyed. Secondly the threshold point at which the chimera ceases to be a lab animal and is
considered to be human. There is also the rights of the patients, that there life is an acceptable
loss to forgo the harm done to chimeras.
As reporting on this subject to the general public the media has been vague and in some
cases deliberately inflammatory. This has given the public a distorted view and when compared
to other scientific journals conflicting information. I believe this is a disservice on part of the
media.
The second article Scientists create part-human, part-pig embryo covers the same
material on how the procedures are performed. Though there is a stronger emphasis on the point
that viable human organs are still a long way off and this is more of a first step. The information
is presented in the same manner as the first article and even uses one of the same researchers.
There is not much bias in the information presented but the focus is directed towards a more
clinical viewpoint and glosses over some of the animal rights issues.
I would support the creation of human chimera using the rights approach. The patients
that are suffering and dying have the right to pursue a treatment option that will improve or save
their life. There should also be put in place strict guidelines for the creation and most humane
handling of the chimera.
Human Pig Chimeras Created for Transplant Organs
References
Begley, S. (2017, January 30). First human-pig chimeras created, sparking hopes for transplantable
organs — and debate. Retrieved January 30, 2017, from STAT News:
https://www.statnews.com/2017/01/26/first-chimera-human-pig/
Norton, A. (2017, January 26). Scientists create part-human, part-pig embryo. Retrieved from UPI:
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2017/01/26/Scientists-create-part-human-part-pig-
embryo/4321485458691/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
