Whats all this about human-animal embryo research?

Question

ok, I understand the need for research into disease, but what I do not understand is how crossing a human embryo with a cows helps? Does any one out there have the answer?

Answer 1

they aren't trying to cross cows and humans.
in the UK, because of the shortage of human embryos for stem cell research, they want to make a 'fake' embryo. that is they put human DNA into a cows egg cell just long enough for it to start the process of making stem cells.
however because of RNA that stays in the cell there will be about a 99.9 to 0.1 ratio of human to cow. this has just been approved by the UK dept that oversees such stuff.
note that it has allready been done in the US and elsewhere.

Answer 2

It's already being worked on in the US & China, we're playing catch up as it was not permitted here up to now.

So, instead of honouring the moral, ethical & environmental issues around this, and watching others get on with it in the name of 'science' (hmm), once more it has just turned into a profit-motivated race to prove which twonk is better than the twonk standing next to them.

Answer 3

it's the first step to a frankenstein society where we will clone humans and they may integrate into our society and eventually take over....scary stuff

but seriously though, it's something about curing diseases