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“researchers hope that someday embryonic stem cells might be produced by cloning, that is, installing a patient's DNA into a human egg without a nucleus.” (1)
Now, this scenario is pretty doable today. No problems if you are talking fertile female patients. Otherwise you would have to rely on donor material. A scenario that is a bit further away is
implanting human DNA into eg. a mouse egg for harvesting stem cells
What are your views on:
1) the science?
What role does mitochondrial DNA play? Are there limiting factors?
2) the ethics?
Is it immoral to implant human DNA into an animal cell? Why, or why not?
3) the principle?
Would it not be better to always use donated human eggs? Should this procedure be done at all?
All three questions can be addressed independently.
Looking forward to your contributions!
(1)
Ronald Bailey
New Leases on Life- The promise of regenerative medicine
Reasononline 4.12.2002 -http://www.reason.co.../rb120402.shtml