Word: newmans
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...prevent this, Newman has applied for a patent on a process to create human/animal genetically mixed creatures (chimeras) in order to prevent anyone else from pursuing such research. He also hopes to provoke a debate on the sanctity of life and where society should draw the line on genetic research...
...Several nights ago on ABC Evening News, an in-depth "Closer Look" segment was devoted to Newman's patent. The report was largely one-sided (more 1984 than 1998), featuring the fears and rants of ethicist and frequent scientific critic Jeremy Rifkin, who charged that society threatens to "play God" by creating human chimerical animals...
This is gross science fiction sensationalism, but Newman has framed the debate as one of ideological extremes and in doing so has done a great disservice to a fair discussion and an important scientific inquiry. For one thing, Newman and other critics do not weigh heavily enough the possible benefits that could result from inter-species genetic manipulation...
...this is the fundamental problem of Newman's position. He confuses an important distinction between regulating the result of a scientific inquiry and containing the inquiry itself. When society is concerned about a particular scientific outcome, it has a choice between preventing any research on the subject or only trying to control undesirable outcomes. Newman's position reflects the former approach. By seeking a patent that he will never use or license, New-man threatens to discourage any scientific investigation involving human/animal chimerical organisms...
...result, any potential medical breakthroughs that could result from an animal which has some human genetic characteristics may be lost. For Newman however, the lost medical advances are balanced by the ethical horror of the alternative as presented by ABC News...