Humanization Of Animals In The Name Of Medical Research Needs New Rules To Support Ethics

Unchecked humanization of animals in the name of research may lead to creation of monsters

Nobody can deny the importance of animals containing human material in the field of medical research. Genetically engineered animals have played an important role in finding medicines for debilitating diseases like cancer and in finding new treatments for conditions like infertility. Humanized animals are also very crucial in the field of stem cell research. However, unchecked humanization of animals in the name of medical research may lead to creation of monsters, a fear that has been voiced by a group of leading British researchers.

According to a report from Britain’s Academy of Medical Sciences, clear checks and balances are imperative to ascertain that humanization of animals is carefully controlled. This is because scientists all over the world are constantly pushing boundaries. They have already introduced human stem cells into goat fetuses and are toying with the idea of creating a mouse with human brain cells. Dr. Martin Bobrow, a professor of medical genetics at the University of Cambridge, who led the Academy's working group, says that besides other areas of research, the three main areas which have serious ethical issues are dealing with the brain cells, dealing with the germ (reproductive cells), and dealing with physical features which are characteristic of human beings such as skin texture, facial shape and speech. Introducing any of these features into animals can result in the creation of “monsters.”

Watching animals with human features in cartoons and movies may be funny but meeting them in real life will certainly not be funny at all

Opinion polls have showed that men have no issue if the animals are modified with human genes as long as this supports medical research. However, they are concerned if the experiments involve brain, fertility and features unique to humans. Watching animals with human features in cartoons and movies may be funny but meeting them in real life will certainly not be so funny.

In the US, scientists carried out an experiment where they implanted human embryonic stem cells into mouse embryos. The mouse cells divided at a much faster rate and only a small number of embryos ended up “human.” However, imagine a scenario, where the opposite happens. When experimenting with a non human primate, it is almost impossible to predict where the experiment will lead.

At present, all experiments concerning animals are regulated by the Home Office through the Animal Procedures Committee. The report calls for a national expert body which can provide specific advice on “animals containing human material” (ACHM) research. It also calls for a new system of categorization of ACHM experiments into Category one, two and three. Category One experiments would cover uncontroversial work. Category Two would cover a “limited number” of procedures requiring “strong scientific justification” and would be scrutinized carefully. Category Three would cover experiments which would be banned because “they are not so necessary or raise very strong ethical issues.” British ministers have welcomed the report and have promised to study its recommendations carefully. Similar steps should be taken by other countries as well so that experiments necessary for medical innovations are carried out but experiments which venture into grey areas and raise ethical concerns are stopped.