Hybrid Embryo Bill

This is about the controversial bill which is about to pass through the British parliament. I know that most people don't care about the actual bill, but it contains some interesting scientific and ethical debates. I don't think that there is a topic on this already, I searched and nothing obvious came up. @_@

What's in the bill.

Human-animal hybrids

The bill allows the creation of so-called "admixed" cytoplasmic hybrid embryos. Scientists want to inject DNA from the nucleus of adult human cells into a hollowed out cow or rabbit egg. The resulting tiny ball of cells would have 99% human DNA and would not be allowed to develop beyond 14 days in the lab. It could not be implanted into the womb of a human or animal but would be used to create stem cells for research without having to use human eggs. The minority of religious groups who believe human life begins when sperm and egg meet say the research violates the sanctity of human life.

"Saviour siblings"

The bill relaxes the circumstances under which children genetically matched to a sibling with a genetic condition can be created by using a technique called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis during IVF, selecting a matched embryo for implantation into the mother. The child could then act as a tissue donor to its sick sibling. Supporters say the relaxation will allow more children with debilitating conditions to be treated; critics say it permits use of children as sources of spare parts.

Lesbian couples

The bill changes the "need for a father" provision for children created by IVF to a "need for supportive parenting". Supporters say the change formalises current practice and brings the legislation in line with equality laws. Critics say children need a mother and a father.

Donating embryos for research

Currently, couples who undergo IVF can have spare embryos stored for up to five years. At that point they must be destroyed. The bill would let couples donate them for research.

Posthumous sperm

The Liberal Democrat MP Vince Cable will table an amendment to allow a woman to use sperm from her dead partner posthumously. It would permit her to obtain sperm for her own insemination if a consultant confirms that she and her partner were receiving fertility advice or treatment before his death.

Abortion

This is not included in the bill, but a number of amendments will be tabled by backbenchers to reduce the time limit from 24 weeks.

Source: guardian.co.uk


So obviously the main issue is the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos. Personally I support it and I hope that it will be passed. A lot of people are horrified by this because they think it means creating some sick hybrid human-cow or something, when in reality it is far less like a sci-fi novel than some campaigners like to think.

I know abortion is a big enough debate in another thread but I honestly don't see the point in trying to ammend the abortion act within this bill. It's just not going to happen; besides, the bill is controversial enough already. Other than that, I agree entriely with the rest of the bill.

I should also add that MPs and being given a free vote on many parts of this bill because of its ethical and moral nature.

Tabloid media making it sound like some kind of plot to turn us all into mutants.

Yawn.

It raises ethical problems with the ontological status of an embryo which is not for this thread but I think this can only bring good things. I've been in support of stem cell research for a long time, and the constant campaigning by eminent scientists is surely an indication of just how important it could turn out to be.

As a (presumably) fertile male I would happily donate sperm to an infertile/lesbian couple. A girl I was involved with a few weeks ago was infertile and for some reason we were talking about it. I wouldn't make a good parent but I wouldn't deny anybody the chance.

The majority of Britian and the board of Doctors want the abortion rate to be dropped, it has been added to a controverisal bill to try and ease a win on the vote.

MP's who now vote against embryo hybrids will be seeing as voting for ''baby death''

it's a sly trick and should completely be disregarded whilst viewing the argument for the actual bill. Abortion rate should be a completely seperate issue.

Bloodraine:

Human-animal hybrids

Didn't the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority already approve that in Britland?

Kurtni:

Bloodraine:

Human-animal hybrids

Didn't the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority already approve that in Britland?

Not full term, for specific research in one area of study.

I forget, but why are stem cells used?
-looks it up on wikipedia-
os, it says it can be used for things such as oarkinson's disease, cancer, spinal cord injuries, and muscle damage.
But if order for the person to get stem cells, it kills a baby.
I can understand muscle tissue damage [from a fall or an accident]
But if this is going to be from a disease, something that only you get from yourself, don't do it.
Think about it.
why do some people get diseases? Because they're not fit enough to survive.
I'm talking about natural selection
If the people that aren;t fit to survive die, it's better for the species.
And if there's ot stem cells being used, the baby lives, and the whole evolution process goes on.

NeoSteph:

Kurtni:

Bloodraine:

Human-animal hybrids

Didn't the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority already approve that in Britland?

Not full term, for specific research in one area of study.

Oh, ok. I just remembered reading something about it and everyone over here was freaking out because of those crazy liberal Brits and their animal hybrids!

Kurtni:

NeoSteph:

Kurtni:

Bloodraine:

Human-animal hybrids

Didn't the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority already approve that in Britland?

Not full term, for specific research in one area of study.

Oh, ok. I just remembered reading something about it and everyone over here was freaking out because of those crazy liberal Brits and their animal hybrids!

*hides tail*

IT does sound sci-fi. Anyone read Next by Michael Chricton? Its about stuff like that. This scientist took a chimp egg and joned it with his sperm and then left it in the mommy chim and out pops scary baby chimp that can talk.

Lol. Really kind of offtopic, but I saw the word 'bill' and it just reminded me of this. (Sorta. on topic too.)

So...them duck-billed platypuses, yeah, they're reptiles now too apparently. Biologists have managed to track down their genus and revealed that they are really part bird, part mammal, and part reptile! Dem crazy pla-ta-ma-pusses.

I read 'dem crazy' as Democratic and thought maybe the platapus was the new face of the dem party

NeoSteph:

I read 'dem crazy' as Democratic and thought maybe the platapus was the new face of the dem party

OMG. So I got report cards back yesterday and I was skim reading the teacher's comments and I thought I read 'Angelica is exteremely attractive'.

I sorta spaced out for like a bit, I was like 'huuuuuuh'?

Yeah, it said 'attentive'.

lyrical_mess:

IT does sound sci-fi. Anyone read Next by Michael Chricton? Its about stuff like that. This scientist took a chimp egg and joned it with his sperm and then left it in the mommy chim and out pops scary baby chimp that can talk.

That isn't going to happen. The actual bill states that the embryo will be created inside a hollowed-out cow or rabbit egg (making the embryo over 99% human, apparently) and will need to be destroyed after 14 days.
In fact, I think the whole point of introducing this legislation is so that things like that don't happen.

eventhough it may sound wrong and inhumane i believe that with time taken and multiple saftey checks it could help people in the long run.

but rushing the delicate matter may cause human right campainers =/