Posted by KenC on February 21, 1999 at 21:24:22:
I just read a great story in the Toronto Star about a "cure" for melanoma. The procedure I'm sure is elaborate, but these are the basics. Scientists (genetic engineers)"change the protein" composition of a virus and inject it into the patient to work against the cancer cells through an immune system cascade of events. Neat stuff, great science. HUman trials are now underway for this "cure."
What, pray tell, is the differnce between "changing the protein" composition of a cell and xenotransplantation? Nothing.
Are the "risks" to society any different? I don't think so.
The science is the same, it's the PERCEPTION by society that's differnt. Xeno is "creepy", it's Dolly the Sheep in the extreme. "Genetic Engineering" is cool, it saves lives, it's the future, it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Wait a minute, Dolly the Sheep was probably an engineered project.
But what is xeno if not genetic engineering?
Thank goodness there is a potential cure for melanoma. Next in line?