BUENOS AIRES, Nov 29, 01 (CWNews.com) - One of the most prominent Argentinean scientists and bioethicists, Dominican Father Domingo Basso, has said that the recent announcement of human cloning performed by US-based Advanced Cell Technology is "mostly a triumphalistic farce."
The announcement has sparked a significant debate in Argentina, since the country has one of the most developed biotechnology industries in the world, especially in the field of animal engineering. In addition, Dr. Jose Cibelli, head the scientific committee of Advanced Cell Technology, was originally an Argentinean veterinarian although he is now a US resident.
Father Basso, a biologist and professor of bioethics at the Catholic University of Buenos Aires, said in a press conference that "the scientists involved in the project have actually no clue if they worked with a true human embryo or just a cell capable of multiplying a few times."
"Scientifically speaking, this cloning is not only immoral, but probably a hoax, since we are almost in the field of science-fiction," he said. He added that "so far, what can be said with a significant degree of certainty is that they have made an epithelial cell start dividing within the cytoplasm, thus acting as a sort of embryo."
Nevertheless, since the process of division stopped, "it is not possible to say it was actually a human embryo."
Whatever the true scientific meaning of the project, Father Basso said that "its goal is quite clear: to open a legal door and public acceptance for a more sophisticated cannibalism." He said, "Basically, they are trying to build a human embryo and then use the stem cells or, eventually, more developed tissues, as spare parts for other human beings."
Father Basso continued, "The chances of actually developing a true human embryo and developing from the stem cells other specialized cells that can actually replace damaged ones is still very, very far away."
"But the desire to experiment with human beings goes far beyond the scientific hopes that can be placed in such a project, and reveal what is beneath it: a complete contempt for the human person, for its dignity, for the sanctity of life and the human genetic code," Father Basso said.
"I think the Vatican has explained it clearly: if you believe we can manipulate and discard human beings because they are too small to look like humans or to defend themselves, we are introducing the worst kind of discrimination, one that will have consequences that are worse than any kind of segregation seen before in human history," he concluded.
Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs
29. november 2001