Scientists have created mice with two fathers – raising the possibility of gay couples having children who are genetically their own.
In experiments hailed as a ‘new form of mammalian reproduction’, American researchers used a complex series of steps to engineer ‘male eggs’ to be carried by female mice.
The creatures were then mated with normal males – leading to the creation of pups with two fathers.
科學家成功培育出了一只有兩個“爹”的小白鼠,這為“同志”伴侶繁衍后代的可能性給許多同志伴侶帶來了新的希望??茖W家們通過復雜的步驟,將“雄性卵子”植入了雌性體內(nèi),之后雌性白鼠在與正常的雄性白鼠交配產(chǎn)子,而新生的幼鼠則成為了“兩位父親”的“杰作”。
The geneticists behind the controversial technique said it could potentially be used to improve livestock breeds or preserve endangered species. More provocatively, they claim that if the technique can be refined, ‘someday two men could produce their own genetic sons and daughters’.But critics say such a scenario would sideline women from the creation of life – and a child’s health and wellbeing should always take precedence over an adult’s desire to be a parent, however strong.
科學家表示此項科技可用于提高畜禽品種質(zhì)量和保護瀕危滅絕物種,而更具爭議的是,它或許將使得“男性之間實現(xiàn)生兒育女”成為現(xiàn)實。但反對者批評這樣的情況或?qū)⑴耘懦诜毖芎蟠倪^程之外,而小孩的身心健康、生活幸福總是要比一個成年人希望為人父母的欲望要來得強烈的多。
Other stem cell experts and ethicists have questioned the need to go through such a complex process to create life. Chris Mason, professor of regenerative medicine at University College London, said: ‘One day it may be possible in people, although the technical barriers are far higher than in mice, plus there are major safety issues. ‘The real question, is why would doctors want to use the technique for people? I would be extremely surprised if this scientific discovery had any impact on clinical medicine.’
不過有些干細胞學者和倫理專家對于這一過程的復雜與繁復性提出了疑問。“或許有一天這一方法將運用于人類,不過人類‘安全壁壘’則遠遠高于小白鼠,而且其中存在嚴重的安全隱患。”一位來自倫敦大學的醫(yī)學教授說到,“真正的問題在于,醫(yī)生為何要將之技術(shù)運用于人類,我認為這一科學發(fā)現(xiàn)對于臨床醫(yī)學的影響有限。”
Josephine Quintavalle, of campaign group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said: ‘By the scientists’ own admission it was a weird project, but apart from doing it just for the hang of it, there does not seem to be any real justification for the research.
'We should worry when scientists in the area of mammalian reproduction seem to be beyond self-regulation.’
還有學者批評,“這樣一個實驗室非常不可理喻的,我們真正該擔心的是哺乳動物生殖領(lǐng)域的某些‘專家’已經(jīng)逾越了科學家應(yīng)有的自律底線。”