In Britain, it’s now okay for fertility clinics to mix human and animal cells together for medical research.

Chimera is the word to describe a being made of the parts of multiple animals, Frankenstein seems to come closer to describe this bastard procedure.  Of course, Frankenstein was the creator, the creature he made he described as ‘fiend’, ‘wretched devil’, ‘vile insect’ and ‘abhorred monster.’

Supposedly, the human-animal embryos will help medical research which seems to be the rationale that trumps all objections. 

Artist Patricia Piccini envisons such a mix

UPDATE: The view from Rome:

“The creation of a hybrid animal-human embryo has been banned by everyone in the biotechnology field, until now — and not just by religious groups,” Bishop Sgreccia said. “This is because human dignity is compromised and offended and monstrosities will be created from these inseminations.

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Bishop Sgreccia said he hopes that the international scientific community continues to hold the line, to defend “the conservation and respect of the species.”

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“The fact is that there was no reason to do this. If they are looking for stem cells in order to cure Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, there is no need to create a hybrid animal-human embryo, because there are adult stem cells, and stem cells in umbilical cords and those in the adult male to be able to battle these frontiers in faith.”

“The scientist who is only worried about advancing his research does not take into consideration the anthropological and philosophical factors, like respect for nature and the natural order.