Interspecies "Semolina"
Crosses a New Line
Where is the evidence of benefit? Why ignore adult stem cells?
London, UK - 20th May 2008, 12:52 GMT
Dear ATCA Colleagues
[Please note that the views presented by individual contributors
are not necessarily representative of the views of ATCA, which is neutral.
ATCA conducts collective Socratic dialogue on global opportunities and threats.]
We are grateful to the distinguished ATCA contributor, Prof
Lord Alton of Liverpool, from the House of Lords, Palace of Westminster
for his response to Dr Pete Moore's "Human-Animal
Hybrid Experimentation -- The Opportunity for Asymmetric Intervention?"
to the Socratic dialogue "Human-Animal Synthetic
Organisms: Asymmetric Threats to Humanity" initiated in March 2008.
Dear DK and Colleagues
Re: Interspecies "Semolina" Crosses a New Line:
Where is the evidence of benefit? Why ignore adult stem cells?
I agree with the view expressed on ATCA by Dr Pete Moore that by creating
animal human hybrid embryos we are not only crossing species, we are crossing
a new line. Throughout the debate [in the Houses of Parliament] there has
been repetition of the canard that the use of human embryos has far greater
potential for cures than adult stem cells and that without the creation
of animal human hybrid embryos we will be unable to make crucial medical
breakthroughs. Even if this were ethically acceptable precisely what do
they mean by potential? Potential for what? Surely not greater potential
for safe and readily available therapies -- at least not based on the evidence
so far.
[CONTINUES]
[ATCA Membership]
David Alton
Lord (David) Alton of Liverpool is Professor of Citizenship at Liverpool
John Moores University and is an Independent Crossbench peer. He began his
career as a teacher and, in 1972, he was elected to Liverpool City Council
as Britain's youngest City Councillor. He served for 18 years in the House
of Commons. David was made a Life Peer in 1997. He has sat for the past
10 years as a Crossbencher in the House of Lords and is Professor of Citizenship
at Liverpool John Moores University. A Fellow of St.Andrew's University
his books include "Citizen Virtues" and "Faith In Britain."
He was one of the founders of the British Human Rights Organisation, Jubilee
Campaign.
[ENDS]
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