Science going mad

Hi

I suppose this could have gone in Science, but I would like your views on the ethics of all this.

There have been two disturbing announcements recently.

The first one is the creation of a human/pig chimera.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38717930

The idea is good, to provide human organs, but it opens ups the floodgates to all sorts of misuse.

The second development is more worrying in my view.

We have created a semi synthetic organism.

https://phys.org/news/2017-01-scient...synthetic.html

This is potentially very serious, it opens the door to creating biological weapons targeting specifics groups.

Your opinions please.

Re: Science going mad

Sorry Swimmy, I'm no help to you here at all, it's all a bit much for my simple brain. Don't worry about things you can't change though.

Re: Science going mad

I think that both are a bridge too far. Why do scientists feel the need to experiment in this way? The human/pig embryo fills me with revulsion - instead of trying to grow human organs inside animals why not concentrate on methods to repair organs? Does the creation of a new strain of bacteria serve any purpose at all? Will such bacteria be used to fight cancers or be used as I suspect to create a biogenic weapon which targets certain individuals?

Re: Science going mad

Hi

I agree totally Judd.

We could use stem cells to grow human organs in the lab.

Messing about with bacterial DNA is mad.

Things get out of even the most secure labs.

Re: Science going mad

"Things get out of even the most secure labs."

Aye, that's all we need - a new epidemic with no known cure running rampant.

Re: Science going mad

We haven't sufficient antibiotics for some bacteria now, let alone making more. Will this be another disease-resistant bacteria?

I read just last week about someone who'd had 27 different antibiotics to kill an infection - none of which worked.

Re: Science going mad

Providing it can be done safely so there is no harm to humans, I have no problem with animals being used for our medical benefit.

Re: Science going mad

I don't think this was the question though.

Re: Science going mad

H.G.Wells right again!
" The Island of Dr. Moreau" we should take more notice of his works methinks!

Re: Science going mad

I think the Mayans calculations were out by about 0.237652% approximately.☠️