In a continuation of earlier discussions on this forum, the US senate is deciding whether to ban research involving cow eggs with human DNA (in pursuit of additional stem cells).

"What was once only science fiction is now becoming a reality, and we need to ensure that experimentation and subsequent ramifications do not outpace ethical discussion and societal decisions," Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, said in a statement.

Brownback is the author of the bill Coleman and 17 other senators co-sponsored.

"As someone who has consistently protected the sanctity of human life, Senator Coleman will not support any research that would result in human-animal hybrids," said his spokesman LeRoy Coleman. "This type of experimentation not only raises serious ethical concerns, but also public health issues. In Congress, Senator Coleman has been leading the effort to discover and promote ethical stem cell research, and he is certain that the creation of human-animal hybrids is not the answer."

This is in contrast to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's letter to the UK research community supporting research.

Here is an article on the topic:
http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/07/22/2632/the_next_big_stem_cell_fight_mixing_cow_and_human_dna

Here is an official letter from the International Society for Science and Religion:
http://www.issr.org.uk/cybrids-chimeras.asp

Here is the Gordon Brown Letter:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7313453.stm

Here are some earlier discussions on this site:
http://www.scientistsolutions.com/t6189-Gordon+Brown+(PM+of+the+UK)+promotes+stem+cell+research.html

http://www.scientistsolutions.com/t5928-Cybrids%2c+cytoplasmic+hybrids+and+disease+research.html

This is the hot topic in Bioethics right now.
Let the scientific community know what you think.
Our voice is important.

Omai