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Japan approves first human-animal embryo experiments

nature.com

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Re: Japan approves first human-animal embryo experiments

#151

Post by asciimo »

ganzuul wrote: post #109
asciimo wrote: post #104

I hoped technology would reduce animal exploitation. It does in some areas, like cell farming to create food without animals. And synthetic models for pharmaceutical research. Maybe this branch of research can evolve to eliminate animals as well.

There will still exist a fascinating dichotomy, up until we can predict result without either simulation or animal models. An ideal engineered organism would be a delightfully weird homunculus, and a sufficiently advanced simulation could be deemed to be a living creature too. Perhaps it is best to make sure that lab technicians feel a great deal of empathy for the animals they work with.

Have to be careful, though. Too much empathy and you'll quit your job.

Re: Japan approves first human-animal embryo experiments

#152

Post by svieira »

oneshot908 wrote: post #127
fjcp wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right, that's what I am saying. If even that discussion isn't settled yet, we should be more careful and wait before mixing humans and animals.

That discussion was reasonably settled a very long time ago and court cases established reasonable laws around it. Then one side demanded a do-over, in much the same way they are seeking do-overs for a lot of previously seemingly settled issues.

There is a lot of settled law in the history of the USA that shouldn't stand (segregation, suffrage, slavery, extreme methods of execution) no matter how reasonable the various settlements seemed to some at the time of their "settlement".

When an issue will not be settled no matter how reasonable the first party is the second party is either motivated by tyranny or just principles. The former requires force to suppress. The latter cannot be suppressed forever without destroying the goods the first party wishes to preserve.

Re: Japan approves first human-animal embryo experiments

#154

Post by Allower »

sampo wrote: post #28
bcrosby95 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I disagree with the US's stance, ignoring your morals because other countries are doing something would be a race to the bottom.

> ignoring your morals If those morals say people should die instead of getting the organ transplants they need, maybe we are better off ignoring such morals.

yes they should die, stop pretending death should be avoided at all costs.

Re: Japan approves first human-animal embryo experiments

#155

Post by streb-lo »

roywiggins wrote: post #112
La-ang wrote: post #7

[In 2017, Nakauchi and his colleagues reported the injection of mouse iPS cells into the embryo of a rat that was unable to produce a pancreas. The rat formed a pancreas made entirely of mouse cells. Nakauchi and his team transplanted that pancreas back into a mouse that had been engineered to have diabetes, The rat-produced organ was able to control blood sugar levels, effectively curing the mouse of diabetes1.] WOW…

A good day for diabetic mice!

I mean, they are engineered to have diabetes, I don't know if they have much cause to celebrate.

Re: Japan approves first human-animal embryo experiments

#156

Post by alexashka »

asciimo wrote: post #104

I hoped technology would reduce animal exploitation. It does in some areas, like cell farming to create food without animals. And synthetic models for pharmaceutical research. Maybe this branch of research can evolve to eliminate animals as well.

Technology may eventually help reduce humans who don't mind exploitation.

Beyond that, I'm afraid it'll be business as usual.

Re: Japan approves first human-animal embryo experiments

#158

Post by theincredulousk »

alexandercrohde wrote: post #98
lewaldman wrote: post #35

Why all comments are being down-voted? (Personally... I think this tech is amazing and I can't wait for it to be available worldwide!)

You mean the South Park references that add no contribution to this scientific article? Or people broadcasting their moral opinions into the void? I don't see any good comments downvoted.

Yeah for example the super-profound and constructive top comment that just quotes the article and adds "WOW :O".

That's quality content, unlike a the South Park reference drawing a simile between serious research and the (humorously) exaggerated potential disasters of combining human DNA with other species.

Obviously the second was made by some common peasant lacking the intelligence to engage with the audience here. The first, clearly being the work of an intellectual powerhouse the likes of which we stand in awe of, has rightly collected the praise and votes they deserve.

Re: Japan approves first human-animal embryo experiments

#159

Post by ChuckMcM »

roywiggins wrote: post #112
La-ang wrote: post #7

[In 2017, Nakauchi and his colleagues reported the injection of mouse iPS cells into the embryo of a rat that was unable to produce a pancreas. The rat formed a pancreas made entirely of mouse cells. Nakauchi and his team transplanted that pancreas back into a mouse that had been engineered to have diabetes, The rat-produced organ was able to control blood sugar levels, effectively curing the mouse of diabetes1.] WOW…

A good day for diabetic mice!

Was it the hitch hikers guide that said, "As a result of their time on Earth, mouse scientists had developed the means to cure all mouse diseases, allowing their civilization to survive in perpetuity."
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