Cloning Extict Animals
02/02/09 09:30
Interesting to hear this morning (02/02/09) http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport about the cloning of an extinct Pyrean Ibex by Spanish scientists.
In his comments on this advance, Sir Ian Wilmut, who cloned Dolly the sheep 12 years ago, was quick to point out that it would be difficult to clone pre-historic predators like tyrannosaurus rex due to the absence of a suitable recipient to host the fertilised embryo. He reminded us though "you can never tell what might be possible in the future. Just fifteen years ago we didn't expect to be able to clone humans either!"
The scientists, lawyers, ethicists and citizens who will be making such decisions in twenty years' time are in schools now; what sort of decision-making frame does education need to provide for them so that innovative bio-tech decisions are consistent with our values?
In his comments on this advance, Sir Ian Wilmut, who cloned Dolly the sheep 12 years ago, was quick to point out that it would be difficult to clone pre-historic predators like tyrannosaurus rex due to the absence of a suitable recipient to host the fertilised embryo. He reminded us though "you can never tell what might be possible in the future. Just fifteen years ago we didn't expect to be able to clone humans either!"
The scientists, lawyers, ethicists and citizens who will be making such decisions in twenty years' time are in schools now; what sort of decision-making frame does education need to provide for them so that innovative bio-tech decisions are consistent with our values?
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