Early in September a decision is expected from the UK's
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) on whether
scientists can obtain a license to create hybrid human embryos.
Scientists believe they can take an animal egg (in this case
bovine eggs since human eggs are in short supply), remove the
genetic material and implant DNA from a human cell into them.
The resulting animal-human hybrid embryos are known as "chimeras."
If the HFEA approves the plan, the chimera embryos will be allowed
to grow in the lab for about two weeks until they mature enough
to be used as a source of stem cells.
These grisly scientists claim this experimentation and research
is needed in order to further the study of genetic diseases
such as Alzheimer's, motor neuron diseases like Parkinson's,
as well as other diseases like diabetes and infertility in order
to improve quality of life for the afflicted and possibly save
lives. The same scientists have assured HFEA that these embryos
are considered 99 percent human but will never be allowed to
be implanted in humans - they will be used to develop stem cell
lines and destroyed in that process.
(Article continues below)
This is both macabre and unholy. Scientists need to admit that
they cannot control the outcome of all such experimentation,
in this most egregious example of tampering with Mother Nature.
Genetically modified plants are not without their own problems;
what is going to happen when different species are merged and
mixed in the animal and human realm? This could be the equivalent
of unleashing Pandora's box in a Category Five hurricane.
Pursuing this type of freak-show "science" is fraught
with scientific, ethical and moral problems and raises numerous
questions. It has man rejecting God's participation in creating
new human life, and maybe that's why some scientists are
so enamored with it.
Despite the scientific hubris, there are theological issues
that must not be ignored. For instance, are these embryos less
human at two weeks but slightly more human in a womb, and supremely
human after birth? The Catholic Bishops in the UK have submitted
their opinion to the HFEA saying they are "opposed [to]
the creation of any embryo solely for research," and "believe
all life begins at conception." They added "At the
very least, embryos with a preponderance of human genes should
be assumed to be embryonic human beings, and be treated accordingly."
As incredibly disturbing as this whole situation is, there is
a question which must be asked: As these "chimeras"
are not conceived in the way God ordained, at what point does
the Almighty breathe a soul into them, making them truly human
- "in His image and likeness?" God will not be mocked
- for very long - without dire consequences.
