March 10, 2005

SCIENTIFIC ETHICS, HE LAUGHED (via Jim Yates):

Scientists to make 'Stuart Little' mouse with the brain of a human (James Langton, 06/03/2005, Daily Telegraph)

It will look like any ordinary mouse, but for America's scientists a tiny animal threatens to ignite a profound ethical dilemma.

In one of the most controversial scientific projects ever conceived, a group of university researchers in California's Silicon Valley is preparing to create a mouse whose brain will be composed entirely of human cells.

Researchers at Stanford University have already succeeded in breeding mice with brains that are one per cent human cells.

In the next stage they plan to use stem cells from aborted foetuses to create an animal whose brain cells are 100 per cent human. [...]

Last week...the university's ethics committee approved the research...


And they wonder why the Right is at war with scientists?

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 10, 2005 10:38 AM
Comments

Wouldn't it be easier to 'make' a human whose brain is composed of mouse cells? I think we can nominate our volunteers right now.

Posted by: jim hamlen at March 10, 2005 10:53 AM

Jim, it's already been done. They even have a website.

Posted by: Mike Morley at March 10, 2005 11:18 AM

Anyone else remember Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh?

Posted by: carter at March 10, 2005 2:24 PM

I was thinking more of a white mouse with the voice of Orson Wells...

Posted by: John at March 10, 2005 3:05 PM

John: you mean this one?

Posted by: Mike Morley at March 10, 2005 3:08 PM

And Disney presents ... drum roll please ... Mickey Man.

Posted by: Genecis at March 10, 2005 9:54 PM

"Are we mice or men?"
The Ethics Committee: "Yes."

These people are beginning to make me suspicious of that whole 'Puritan Work Ethic' thing.

How is this any different than the sheep-guy? "I was just doing research, your Honor..."

Posted by: Noel at March 10, 2005 10:05 PM

Maybe there is more to the fact that Stuart Little's voice sounded like Michael J Fox than we know.

Posted by: Randall Voth at March 11, 2005 7:25 AM

I have trouble believing this. It has 'South Park episode' written all over it.

Posted by: Bart at March 11, 2005 9:10 AM

Bart - I thought of South Park's Huboon when I read this as well:

Well, I'm a huboon baby I'm a cross between a human and an ape. I'm all decked out, I'm gonna hoot, I'm gonna root, I'm gonna rape. People look at me and laugh and make fun of my face. I laugh right back - I don't want to be part of the human race. I did this to myself, now somebody's gonna be sorry. Like all you wankers and you slime and you right-wing pinheads who make screwing a big crime.

Posted by: Shelton at March 11, 2005 10:39 AM
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