Transgenic animals? Good idea or not?
AAT and Transgenic sheep
The
protein alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) is made in normally functioning liver
cells. AAT plays an important role preventing damage, particularly to
the liver and lungs, by an enzyme in white blood cells. This enzyme is
released from white blood cells to fight infection, and AAT stops it
from attacking normal tissues.
A
mutation in the gene that codes for AAT can result in absent or
abnormal protein that cannot control the white blood cell enzyme. This
is Alpha-1 - antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD) which is a hereditary disease
that may lead to hepatitis and cirrhosis.
It is the most common genetic cause of liver disease in children.
Adults are also affected and may also have lung problems such as
emphysema as well as liver disease.
At
the moment, treatment for A1AD includes use of antibiotics and
generally leading a healthy life style i.e. not smoking and drinking
alcohol but these are not permanent solutions and ultimately liver and
lung transplants may be needed. Gene therapy may eventually provide a
treatment for A1AD, but so far it has not proved possible to remove the
mutant gene from human DNA.
Transgenic
(or genetically modified GM) sheep can help those A1AD sufferers who
develop the lung disease emphysema. These animals have been genetically
modified to produce milk that contains the human protein AAT. Supplies
of AAT from this source are currently in clinical trials for A1AD and
cystic fibrosis sufferers in many countries across the world.
Reference: http://www.beep.ac.uk/content/456.0.html
Reference: http://www.beep.ac.uk/content/456.0.html
Bioethics is the philosophical study of the ethical controversies brought about by advances in biology and medicine. Bioethicists are concerned with the ethical questions that arise in the relationships among life sciences, biotechnology, medicine, politics, law, philosophy, and theology. (from Wikipedia.org)
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Your assignment is to create two arguments, one for and one against the creation of transgenic sheep to produce human AAT. Which one do you support and why? State your two arguments as a comment to this post. Also indicate which argument you support and why.
By
doing this assignment, you will acquire an appreciation of the
complexity of issues facing today's medical researchers and practioners. Thanks, Mr. A
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ReplyDeleteFor transgenic sheep use: The use of animals to improve human lives is a concept that has existed for some time already. Creating transgenic sheep to manufacture AAT to treat a human deficiency for said enzyme does not necessarily mean that the sheep will be harmed or be otherwise unable to lead a normal life. Furthermore, the potential to save lives and advance science that experimentation with transgenic sheep has is too great to ignore. By creating transgenic sheep, scientists might be able to find cures for more diseases in humans, thus bettering the lives of everyone.
ReplyDeleteAgainst: The creation of transgenic sheep is going against a natural cycle. Disrupting nature is bound to create problems. Furthermore, the sheep did not choose nor did they know what would be done to them. Some sheep ight be harmed or killed in the process of experimentation. Additionally, using transgenic sheep is bound to attract the attention of animal rights groups and create unnecessary political debate. Some religious groups might also be offended by the creation of transgenic sheep.
Personally, I do not support either argument. I believe that reasonable experimentation on animals should be performed by scientists, the key word being reasonable. The potential that this type of research has to improve human science and lives is great; however, scientists should excercise care to hurt or kill the smallest number of animals possible and always be mindful of nature. In that way, human science will be able to take giant leaps while minimizing risks, unlike past discoveries which have been enormously beneficial to humanity, but at the same time detrimental to nature, as the environmental impact was overlooked when the discovery was made.
Julian A
Transgenic sheep are a very good way to help humans overcome many issues not only the AAT problem in humans. An argument for the transgenic animals is that we could only benefit from these experiments. If the experiment fails, then not only can other experiments benefit from the data made from this experiment. If the experiment with transgenic animals is successful, it could help many genetic disorders present in humans. By doing this experiment nothing is lost only gained.
ReplyDeleteHowever, having these transgenic animals could cause controversy around the world. These animals have been engineered to be a certain way which could potentially cause a very bad outcome.
I believe this experiment is very useful and should be carried out. This could potentially help many people who have genetic disorders and the animals used are not being harmed in any way.
Blanca M
For transgenic sheep: The use of animals in order to improve the life of humans is nothing new. Animals have been used for medical research for a long time now. Developing AAT to treat humans does not mean that it will be hurting the sheep. The use of transgenic sheep could improve greatly the life of humans on earth.
ReplyDeleteAgainst transgenic sheep: The use of sheep for this research could be considered animal abuse because of the experimentation failures that can occur from them. Also, religious wise, this might create some controversy because of the creation of a new species of sheep that does not occur naturally.
I personally believe that this transgenic sheep deal should be kept under the mat until is well developed and assured of not harming the sheep experimented with. If it is to be carried out, it would be one of the greatest achievements in medical history.
Santi Z.
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ReplyDeleteTesting on animals for example transgenic sheep may not seem ethical to some but the overall conclusion is that it helps a lot more than it tortures these transgenic sheep. Not only is it important and fundamental research but it helps with many more problems in humans, not only the AAT condition that is in some. We benefit immensely from experiments like these and not only in medicine but in science as well. The experiments may not always succeed but we can only gain and benefit from the mistakes and data collected from these experiments. This research can prevent many genetic disorders in people but in other animals as well. It is also better to be tested on for a good cause than to be eaten. The controversy over this topic is only said by week animal loving vegans. I love that science is working hard to make this world a better place!
ReplyDeleteAnna B
The use of transgenic sheep to produce AAT can be very useful to improve human lives. Using animals to improve out lives is a concept that has existed for some time already. Creating sheep that will provide AAT for humans does not necessarily mean that this will harm/prevent the sheep from living an otherwise normal life. The power that transgenic animals would have to save lives is so big that it cannot be ignored. Furthermore, with the creation of transgenic sheep scientist might find cures for even greater disease, therefor making life easier.
ReplyDeleteThe creation of transgenic sheep/animals that get genetic modification in general would go completely against what is natural. Even though it might help A1AD sufferers, the sheep did not choose to get their genetics modified, nor do they now what exactly is happening to them. Also experimentation might result in sheep dying or getting harmed. This will then attract animal right groups and there will be great debates that are completely unnecessary.
Personally I do not really support either side. Even though I believe that it is good that there are possibilities to help people that have such an inherited disease I believe that animals should not be put at risk of getting hurt just to improve human lives. If there were methods that are less dangerous and guarantee a 100% success rate then I would probably be for it.
Isabella B.
The creation of transgenic sheep should be taken advantage of. There are many human beings in the world who suffer from liver disease and need specific enzymes to fight off the infection. This is where transgenic sheep come in. Transgenic sheep produce milk with human protein (AAT) in it that will fight off the infection. Performing these tests on sheep does not mean that the sheep will be harmed in any way. With this step in scientific/medical science, who knows what can happen next. Perhaps from this experiment a cure for cancer will be discovered.
ReplyDeleteThough that could be true, there are also many reasons this experiment is out of the question. If we look at our ancestors from thousands and thousands of years ago they did not have any cures or antibiotics for such diseases, and they lived about as long as we do today. It is unfortunate that this for some diseases there are no cure, however, there are other ways to find a cure than that of using an animal.
I do not think that this is a very good idea. To use an animal's life to save a humans life is not right. Though humans have more potential, that does not give them more of a right to stay alive. However, if i were in a position where it was me who were suffering from this genetic mutation, I would not decline an opportunity to fix my problem.
Maia D.
The protein alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) is made in normally functioning liver cells. AAT plays an important role preventing damage, particularly to the liver and lungs, by an enzyme in white blood cells.
ReplyDeleteWhy I think this should be taken advantage of: if we could be able to create sheep with the AAT, we could help many human lives from the liver disease, and possible find other ways of helping it counter attack other diseases that we might need help with. And in the process we do not harm the sheep in anyway or form or cause it to not live a normal life. We would be using this sheep for a helping purpose and it does not suffer.
Why I don’t think this should be taken advantage of: It goes against the natural laws. Like the chimeras, we are not god; we don’t get to experiment on these creatures. Maybe if it was 100% guaranteed to not harm this animal but as a fact, it’s not. There is going to be failures in this experiment and we will not know if it would cause more harm to our natural cycle.
In my opinion, I think this experiment should be done in a sort of lite way. We should be able to do this experiment, and find a way that we can cure this illness, but it should be terminated and studied more if the animals start to suffer and/or die in the hands of this experiment.
Cassia E.
The idea to mutate sheep to help save human lives is incredible. An advance in science like this one is remarkable, and has the potential to save and help humans and it does not nessarily include the harm or mistreatment of animals. When the sheep will produce to help humans is called AAT. AAT helps the liver for example not get damaged by a white blood cell enzyme.
ReplyDeleteHowever, on the other hand science is meddling with nature. It is also unfair for the sheep as this mutation has not been around for long enough to know what the long term effects are. In addition I am personally against this because I do not believe that animals should live or be breed for our benefit.
ANNA VDL
Argument for transgenic sheep: Many people, including children and adults, are diagnosed with lung and liver problems caused by Alpha-1 - antitrypsin deficiency. A hereditary disease that could lead to hepatitis and cirrhosis. Many are dying from it and up until now, there hasn't been a treatment for it. Scientists have recently discovered that they can genetically modify the sheep to create the human protein AAT in their milk. We have the technology to save many people's lives, so why should there be any doubt about not using it. This would be like finding a cure to cancer but not using it. In addition, sheep are no endangered species, therefore if one suffers damage due to the testing, it isn't going to make a huge impact.
ReplyDeleteArguments against transgenic sheep: This would be a great solution to this disease, however, the point of this is to help living beings, not hurt them. This would hurt the sheep. It is basically changing the path of evolution just to help a few people. In addition, this gene is hereditary. So if people that are carriers for this disease pass it to the next generation, even if they were treated there could be a fault to the genetically modified milk and they could still pass it down. The only way to stop this disease from being passed on is to stop the people who have it from passing it down. Plus, scientists aren't sure if this will even 100% cure it. The best solution would be to find something else with that enzyme that wouldn't be harmful to any living thing.
Personally, I think it would be a good idea to try it. Scientists would see how it works out. Depending on the results of the person with the illness, the scientists could assess whether or not it is a good idea to continue with making the genetically modified sheep milk. This is definitely an issue that will raise a huge amount of debate no matter what is done.
Elisa R.
AAT and Transgenic Sheep Blog Post
ReplyDeleteAnimals have been used before to help treat people who suffer from certain diseases thanks to their physical and genetic similarity to humans. Because of this, using animals to cure or treat a disease that decreases the quality of life of humans would not be a completely innovative or overwhelming scientific feat. Transgenic sheep have been genetically engineered animals who possess the quality of helping the lives of thousands of people who cannot survive well on their own. Since the sheep do not sacrifice any other quality that is crucial to their survival, it is a great way to potentially save many human lives.
On the other hand, nature is not responsible for the creation of transgenic sheep; the animals are simply genetically manipulated animals that did not have a say in their sudden change or mutation of genes. There have probably been cases in which innocent sheep have been harmed or even lost their lives to scientists experimenting on them on what looked live an unproductive cause. Ethical debates about whether or not should science “mess with mother nature” is the key argument against this medical development, for humans did not ask the sheep what they thought about the experiment. Because of this, sheep could be stripped of their natural way of life and grow up not knowing that their purpose in life continues outside a scientific lab.
Because I am a supporter of scientific and especially medical advances, I support the creation of transgenic sheep to save the lives of many people who suffer from a lack of AAT. I think that as long as the sheep are not being harmed in any way and are allowed to live a somewhat normal “sheeply" life, the experiment should be carried out. However, scientists would have to guarantee that the experiment actually helps humans recover from their disease and it is not carried out simply for fun.
Camila B.
For: The creation of transgenic sheep to supply humans with AAT could save and improve the lives of many people. The use of animals for medical purposes is very common nowadays, and has proven to be very useful. Transgenic sheep are not affected by the process and can live a normal life, and at the same time, improve the lives of many individuals with A1AD deficiency.
ReplyDeleteAgainst: Genetically modifying animals for the benefit of humans defies the ethical boundaries of science. Altering the genes of sheep could alter their natural organism and its functions. The sheep did not choose to be experimented upon and their lives could be lost during the experimentation process.
Personally, I think the use of transgenic sheep could have a tremendous potential to better the lives of many individuals. If the experimentation is done legitimately and correctly, I do not see anything wrong with it. Although I believe that this experimentation should be severely regulated and protected.
Jaime M.
For: Using genetically modified animals to help treat human conditions is done more and more frequently. Therefore, creating a transgenic sheep to help treat A1AD is not something that appeals as strange or unseen. In fact, this is something that could be a very efficient solution to help treat those with A1AD without hurting the sheep. The sheep will still have all vital functions and at the same time will be helping humans with A1AD survive by providing milk containing AAT.
ReplyDeleteAgainst: Creating a transgenic sheep would be against the processes of nature. Creating a genetically modified animal is always a very controversial topic as it inflicts with ethical values and morals, as well as maybe some religious beliefs. Also, there have been several cases where animals have been harmed or killed for the purpose of testing and genetic modification. The sheep, obviously, did not choose to be genetically modified to support humans and, once again, conflicts with morals.
I support the creation of transgenic sheep because I believe that it can actually help save many lives of people with this hereditary disease. As long as no animals are severely harmed or killed in the process of testing, this project can help scientific and medical development.
Lydia B.
The use of transgenic animals has been around for some time. These experiments have many positive outcomes. A great example of a positive outcome is seen with the transgenic sheep. The Transgenic Sheep are created so their milk will include AAT. AAT is a protein made by functioning livers. People who have malfunctioning livers lack of this specific protein and need it to survive. Drinking this sheep’s milk will make up for the lack of AAT. Similarly to this sheep there could be much more medical advancement that could help cure certain diseases.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, altering a living creature is unjust. In a way it is playing to be God. It isn’t fair for the animals that are being tested and altered. Many times the experiments trials are harmful for the animals. These animals were not able to decide if they wanted to undergo such experiments that could possibly end up in death for some of them. Altering these sheep could perfectly be considered abuse.
Personally, I do not support nor am I against this topic. I believe the outcome could be very useful and potentially save many lives. I also believe it isn’t right to alter with nature in such a way. So what is worth more a potential human life or many animal lives? I honestly don’t know, which in many ways summarizes the controversy brought by this topic.
Carmen A
Multiple reasons can be given either for or against the use
ReplyDeleteof transgenic sheep to produce human AAT which will help
cure the people who are suffereing from A1AD. A few
of the arguments are states as below.
One argument that can be stated for the use of
transgenic sheep to cure the disease A1AD is that
till now that is the only cure other then
the liver or lung transplant. The diseases
hepatitis and cirhosis are a cause of liver disease in
children. The only way to prevent liver and
lung transplant for the people who are suffering from
the disease is by getting the help of transgenic sheep,
while no great harm is being done to the sheeps, they
are still being able to be used for personal use.
People who are suffering from these lung and liver
related diseases if are under the condition of poverty
may not be able afford the transplant and would
still be under debt to pay for the antibiotics to be
able to live a healty lifestyle. Using transgenic sheep
milk, the AAT being produced in the liver will be
restored and this may prove to be much more
cost effective solution for them.
Neverthless many ethical and moral reasons
can be stated against the idea of using transgenic sheep
milk for personal reasons. This is because it is
believed that altering the sheep cells for
personal uses is ethically wrong.
Another argument going against is the idea that
nature's equilibrium should not be disturbed for
personal uses.
I personaly am for the idea of using transgenic sheep
milk to help the people suffering from A1AD to restore
their AAT. I believe so because although no great harm
is being done to the sheep besides the cell alterations,
they are still living a normal lifestyle. NOt all sheeps
are being converted in to transgenic sheeps, and hence
the natures equilibrium is not being disturbed.
This may
prove beneficial for many other people who are not financially
well off and can not afford a liver or lung translplant.
Manya K
Thanks to the superb level of medical science, it became possible for hepatitis and cirrhosis patients to recover. Scientists has discovered a way to replace unwell lungs or livers to healthy ones by using transgenic sheep. Due to the discovery, the controversy whether to sacrifice transgenic sheeps for human is an issue.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I am contrast the creation of transgenic sheep for human benefit. First of all, even though they are considered to be created for sacrifice from the start, it is animal abuse. I dislike the fact that people are getting over with hundreds of animal being killed and experimented for our own benefits. Just because they are not human does not mean they do not feel pain. In addition, the action of ‘creating’ animals is against nature. We have been destroying the natural environment, and now we are reaching further to even destroy the animal environment? In other words, it is very inconvenient how people are trying to add environmental controversy into the list because there are already many to solve.
However, I cannot say that this movement would not be a innovative action for some people. Many people who are struggling every day would be able to cure themselves from hepatitis and cirrhosis. This system would save a lot of lives if it is successfully progressed. Furthermore,t some animal sacrifice for human health can be a very valuable movement, not just any pointless violence. Also, through this experiment or system, scientists may find other organs that they can transplant to cure other types of diseases.
Daseul K.
Arguments for: the creation of transgenic sheep has a lot of potential that could save many people’s lives in all over the world. It treats with AAT, a protein that has an important function preventing damage in different parts of our body, such as the liver and lungs. Scientists have found a way of obtaining this AAT through the modification and creation of transgenic sheep to develop proteins that are similar to the human AAT. Therefore, the creation of transgenic sheep should be carried out, because we can have lots of benefits from it, and at the same time not causing that much harm, such as sacrificing the animals’ lives.
ReplyDeleteArguments against: in the other side, the creation of transgenic sheep can be seen as an immoral and harmful action that affects the lives of all the sheep that are involved in the experiment. Humans are getting benefits from these innocent animals, while they are being unable to live properly as they should. Furthermore, it is against nature to create and manipulate animals genetically. Mutation had always seen as a harm to the natural environment, since we, humans, are trying to change and control the rule of the nature.
However, in my opinion, I believe that the creation of transgenic sheep should be allowed, principally because we can gain more than loose. The potential to save lives is a really an important factor to determine whether we should agree or not; and because we are not harming that much those animals, it should be worth to try it.
Yeri C.
For: The creation of transgenic sheep to produce human AAT is very natural. Most of us drink cow milk quite often. The only difference is that now it is coming from a sheep. It is certainly more natural than an antibiotic full of chemicals. Also, there are no effects on the sheep. This can help humans with this mutation and does not hurt anybody in the process. Furthermore, this could lead to the discovery of more proteins we can obtain from animals with some genetic variation.
ReplyDeleteAgainst: Some religious groups and extremists might feel this is going against the basic laws of nature. We are fidgeting around with genetic material. This is not the natural course nature would have taken. Also, it is still being tested so there is a chance that there are some problems with the protein the sheep are producing. We do not know the after effects on humans either.
My opinion: I think this should be done; however, it should not be tested on humans. The idea seems fairly simple but we do not know the potential after effects this could have. I don’t think this goes against any natural laws, as we have changed our environment and the course of nature a lot. We have cut down forests and killed thousands of species, so changing genetic material to our benefit does not seem that extreme. All in all, I think it can be done if we are careful!
Daniel M.
Alpha-1-antitryspin also known as AAT has an important role of avoiding liver or lung failure by an enzyme in white blood cells. An AAT mutation is called an Alpha -1- antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD). A1AD’s outcome can be either absent or abnormal protein that’s unable to handle the white blood cell enzyme. The A1AD is one of the most common reasons for children’s liver diseases. Adults can also suffer the A1AD and have lung problems like having emphysema as well as liver diseases. But now scientist have discovered a way to genetically modify a sheep in order to make AAT in their milk.
ReplyDeleteI personally do not think that scientists should use sheep for the modification of AAT milk. I know it would benefit and possibly help many people but I still do not believe that animals are here on earth the sole purpose of saving us. Sheep are not human but they are animals and no living thing should be put through a process in which they are not comfortable with. On the other hand I also believe that sacrifices have to be made to accomplish greater things so maybe the use of sheep would be a good sacrifices that would help many people in the long run.
Vera S.
AAT and Transgenic Sheep
ReplyDeleteFor transgenic sheep, the use of animals for testing to improve human life is a normal occurrence, animals are used for medical research. The use of transgenic sheep on AAT could help improve human life greatly and it wouldn’t hurt the sheep.
Against transgenic sheep, many people would think that these sheep are under animal abuse because of any failures that might occur and harm the sheep. Another important factor is religion, because it contradicts the idea that the new species of sheeps wouldn’t be a natural reoccurrence, its completely against what is natural.
In my opinion I think that they shouldn’t be testing on these sheep because the sheep didn’t chose to have their genetics altered and if something went wrong it wouldn’t be fair that an innocent animal gets hurt for testing. I do think that these testings are very useful and important to help human life I just don’t think its fair.
Camila M
For: The benefits of using transgenic sheep to help people suffering from AAT deficiency would be enormous. The use of these sheep to create AAT would potentially save many lives. Furthermore, the use of these sheep won’t necessarily mean that the animals will be harmed. In addition the experimentation with could lead us to find cures to many other diseases.
ReplyDeleteAgainst: Producing transgenic sheep to produce AAT would go against the natural cycle and would cause great controversy. Many animal rights groups could be offended by the use of transgenic sheep to save human lives. Furthermore, this experiment won’t be safe for the sheep and we could end up killing many animals.
The experimentation with transgenic sheep would have the potential to save many lives and could be beneficial to human. However, I believe that unless the risks are reduced of endangering these animals, these sheep shouldn’t be used to save human lives.
Irem G.
My argument against this creation of transgenic sheep to produce human AAT is from a moral view. Humans have been using animals to test medicine for years, this is called animal abuse and it's about time we stop this abuse and find other methods to develop new medicine. Another argument I could give is that this method isn't fully proved that it will work, it could damage not only the sheep that is being used but also the person who takes the milk from that sheep. As far as we know results could vary and that they not necessarily could be good for either.
ReplyDeleteIlona P.
My argument supporting the use of transgenic sheep to produce human AAT is my view of supporting new medicine and developing methods that would help humans with serious diseases. Also this method could be consider more natural because the AAT in the sheep milk is from natural proteins of a human.
My personal opinion is in favor of using transgenic sheep to produce human AAT, because it is better for those who need it to use this more natural method than to be exposed to all those chemical antibiotics. And because I think that the development of new medicine is always an advantage for us.
For transgenic sheep: Using animals in laboratories for human benefits has resulted into great decease discoveries in the world. By creating transgenic sheep to find AAT to treat some human disorders helps the humans and doesn’t necessarily means that the sheep are going to die for these experiments. Even if that is not the case, these experiments could save human lives, which is always great.
ReplyDeleteAgainst transgenic sheep: By creating relatively “new” animals using science is just unnatural and some people may say that that is not all right. But on the other side, nowadays, the world that we live in is not “natural” either like our society. Also, these sheep could die in the process of this experiments or could create new deceases that could be dangerous for the humans.
To conclude, I believe that transgenic sheep would be really useful to cure several deceases and save lives. Taking into a count the fact that these animals could be killed this still can help to save lives and I believe that science should take risks to achieve huge goals like this one.
Arturo S.
For the creation of transgenic sheep: Firstly, the use of transgenic sheep to create human AAT to treat human diseases does not always harm the sheep. For a long time, many people were dying from an Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency because there had not been a treatment for it. Now that scientists have found how to genetically modify sheep to create the AAT protein, it could save people’s lives. In addition, creating transgenic sheep could advance science or even find cure for other diseases, not just the AAT deficiency.
ReplyDeleteAgainst the creation of transgenic sheep: The creation of transgenic sheep is not natural. Obviously, the sheep has to be genetically modified, which changes the path of evolution. Furthermore, there is a chance that it could cause unnecessary attention from animal rights activists, especially if any sheep are harmed. In addition, scientists are not sure if the treatment is 100% effective, so it may not even work on some people.
Personally, I think that the creation of transgenic sheep should be tried. Scientists could test the treatment to see how effective it is, and if it works, they could continue creating them. No matter what is done, it will cause some sort of debate, so I think it is worth trying, especially if it could save lives.
Iines K.
There are many points of view as to using sheep to create human AAT. There are many problems such as ethics and morals involved in such a project. There are both ideas. The sheep could save many lives, but it is also animal abuse and it is cruel towards the sheep. It´s a moral standpoint between humans and animals.
ReplyDeleteFor: The creation of transgenic sheep to produce human AAT, would be a great innovation that would revolutionize the world of science. It would aid people to cure there sicknesses. And it would be a great improvement both in science and medicine. It would aid doctors and researchers to anticipate and create new cures for different diseases. Overall this project would solve many medical problems around the world.
Against: Using transgenic sheep to produce human AAT would be animal violation, and it would be unfair for the sheep who would undergo this process. Even though, you would be aiding human beings to try and overcome their medical problems. Corporations such as green peace would try to sew the people who would try and complete this experiment.
To conclude, I want to state that I do not support both sides, but I think it will be passed by Governments around the world, and put into practice.
Ignacio P.B
Speaking for it: Nowadays it is common to use animals for medical purposes and is also very useful. The conception of transgenic sheet to source humans with AAT could protect and progress everyday lives of people. The transgenic sheep are not hurt or harmed in the process and develop the lives of persons with A1AD.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking Against: Extremists and persons with strong religious reliefs believe that this goes against the laws of nature. Tampering with the genes of sheep could alter their natural organism and their functions. The sheep’s could lose their innocent lives by being experimented on even though they did not choose to be.
My opinion: Personally, I believe that transgenic sheep on one hand would be useful to cure diseases, but on the other also go against the laws of nature. If the experimentation is done reasonably and correctly, I do not see a flaw by doing it. However if it is done incorrectly it should not be done.
Sarah M.
Arguments for transgenic sheep: Alpha 1-antirypsin deficiency (A1AD) is a hereditary disease that affects both children and adults. It can cause hepatitis and cirrhosis. There are no cures for it, only treatments. The treatments help but they are not permanent. By using new technology sheep were genetically modified to produce milk with the protein AAT. Transgenic sheep could help those who suffer from A1AD. It could save and help people living with this disease. People should take advantage of this discovery and use it to its most.
ReplyDeleteArguments against transgenic sheep: The use of transgenic sheep to produce milk with AAT goes against nature and some people morals. The sheep would have to be genetically modified to produce the protein, and that would be unnatural. Genetically modifying sheep could harm the sheep and negatively affect their lives. In addition, the experimentation process could result in death or critical harm to the sheep. Animal rights groups would definitely oppose this and cause unwanted problems and debates.
In my opinion, transgenic sheep should be used to help people suffering with A1AD. The milk they produce could easily save many peoples lives and may be a cure for A1AD. I support the creation of transgenic sheep only if the sheep are not harmed. It’s important that the experiments are done with the safety of the sheep kept in mind. This is a difficult topic to choose sides on and will definitely cause a lot of debates.
Daniela F.
Using animals to investigate and find solutions in medicine is normal practice in labs nowadays. It is both innovative and useful to get the things we need form nature around us. However, of course, it is never that easy nor that morally correct. The debate gets harder when animals begin to be mutated and genetically modified.
ReplyDeleteThe use of transgenic sheep to supply AAT is wrong because altering the goat's genes could ultimately create discomfort or bad conditions for the animal. This is almost crossing that line between science and simply humans playing God. Animals don't have rights because they can't speak for themselves, it is important to remind people that animals are not just experiments and toys for our own usage.
On the other hand, with all the advances and technology nowadays, it is pretty safe to say that no harm would come to the animal and it would lead a normal life. In that case, using transgenic sheep to extract a chemical that could save people's lives is a great thing to have available. If it can save a child, or an adult, then it is a great system.
In my opinion, AAT should be taken from transgenic sheep so long as the sheep are not harmed. There has to be a limit somewhere as to where humans can harm and change an animal. It will not be a truly innovative technique until it is both beneficial to humans and the animals.
Rocío C.
For transgenic sheep use: Creating transgenic sheep to supply humans with AAT has the potential to improve and save the lives of many people. By creating transgenic sheep, scientists could be able to find cures for many diseases, which could better the lives of everyone. Using animals for medical purposes is very useful, and has become quite common. Transgenic sheep would not be harmed, would not be affected and would be able to live a normal life; however, they would be improving the lives of people with A1AD deficiency.
ReplyDeleteAgainst transgenic sheep use: Modifying animals genetically for the benefit of humans is not within the ethical and moral boundaries of science. Creating transgenic sheep is completely against the natural cycle, and will probably create problems. Some sheep may be either injured or killed while experimenting. Genetically altering them could change their natural organism.
Personally, I believe using transgenic sheep to improve the lives of many people. If scientists perform the experiments correctly and legitimately, I do not think there is anything wrong with transgenic sheep; however, the experimentation should be regulated severely.
Matilde C.
A transgenic animal is an animal which is used by scientists and has been genetically modified. Scientist have, for a while now, been using transgenic sheep to produce milk that has the human protein AAT.
ReplyDeleteThis milk helps people who suffer from A1AD, antitrypsin deficiency, who develop the lung disease emphysema. The obvious pro to transgenic sheep is that this mutation is helping humans physically get better. A1AD sufferers have no other alternative as the other medical treatments do help but are not permanent, it only slows down the progression of the disease.
The cons of transgenic sheep is that since they are genetically mutated they are not 'natural'. Many people will argue that this is wrong and that only God should be able to create animals. It will also cause a lot of other religious arguments. Even animal rights protestors might get involved. They might have a valid argument though considering that some sheep may have been killed when it was first tested.
In my opinion I am pro transgenic sheep as it saves lives and I think that if scientists have indeed discovered a way to better the lives of humans they should do so and not throw away that option or opportunity. I do not know, however, to what lengths the scientists experimented on the sheep as it does not say so in the article but if it was anything lower than what is morally accepted I do not think they should continue to use these transgenic sheep.
Marina G.
Using transgenic sheep for AAT can greatly benefit human lives. It is a very valuable medical method to improve the lives of people with liver or lung diseases. Most of the time the sheep is not harmed and even though there is controversy about this topic, I think that the ends justify the means. If so many humans can benefit from this then it should be sought out. This is a scientific advancement that should not be taken for granted, and instead used for the positive impacts on out lives.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, it is not 100 percent guaranteed that the animals will not suffer. If such an advancement could take place, then there should also be the relief of knowing that the sheep will surely not suffer. It is not completely fair for the sheep to be mutated only for our benefit.
I support the process of mutating sheep for the use of AAT on humans because of the benefits that come along with it. As long as the sheep are healthy and not harmed then this should be something that humans notably use in a safe way.
Tina Z
Arguments for: using animals to create special proteins in order to cure neurological degeneration or diseases such as cancer, viral infection (aids); in this case, this project would be a outstanding cientific improvement for the society. Creating such proteins do not neceserely harm the animal.
ReplyDeleteArguments against: creating such proteins could alterate the cycle of the development of the sheep, and also if there is any mistake it will kill the sheep and this action could hurt the people's morality.
Im my opinion, I think if its for the benefit of our health I will agree, even we have to sacrifice some animals (always happens) in order to save more lifes .
Chen
DeleteCreating transgenic sheep to produce human AAT can be very beneficial and effective. Until now, many people who suffered from Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency have died because they could not get their livers or lungs transplanted. However, scientists have found out a way to save lives from the disease. Even though this process involves transgenic sheep, it is not harmful for them since the animals are only genetically modified to be able to produce milk that carries human protein.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, if the process of creating transgenic sheep to produce human AAT causes any harm to the animals, this should not be carried out. The fact of genetically modifying animals is against the rules of nature; furthermore, if it is harmful, it can be said that humans are taking advantage of animals and not respecting them. Animals are beings too and we cannot just take their lives away to make our lives better.
In my opinion, we should carry this out and see if it causes any harm to the animals, before anything else. If it is ensured that it cannot cause any damage to the animals, there are no reasons not to carry this plan out. We can save many lives that are suffering and will suffer from this disease, and the fact that scientists have found out a plan to cure this disease offers hope to many sufferers.
Min C.
Good: the transgenic sheep may be good because it products the wool. Also transgenic sheep and goats have been produced that express foreign proteins in their milk which does not have any bad elements that affects human. However, some people might say that it is not good because the animal must be kept natural but it has more positive facts that can improve the science and the resources.
ReplyDeleteAgainst: However, Transgenic sheep could be un beneficial because it could have a unknown harm to humans and other organisms. As with any new technology, the full set of risks associated with genetic engineering have almost certainly not been identified. The ability to imagine what might go wrong with a technology is limited by the currently incomplete understanding of physiology, genetics, and nutrition. Therefore, also transgenic sheep included to this fact.
Personal opinion: I personally think that transgenic facts are not a good things to try on because there could be one bad mistaken errors which could affect the environment. However, it could be a good thing since there will be more chance to research and improve the human biology, but this is not the case. Our human society is now starting to get very harmful for the environment.
Byung H
Many point of views are held by people, regarding the involvement of sheep in order to produce human AAT. There are several points which people could use against it, as for many, this experiment lacks moral values and principles. However, these can be debated by reminding people that this expeirment could save many people ´s lives, which is always a big advantage.
ReplyDeleteI think this new treatment could revolutionize the scientific world nowadays. We would have never thought about this treatment 20 years ago, as these ideas were not even taken into consideration. It would encourage doctors and scientists to keep searching for cures for other diseases which currently, do not have one. However, people would mostly support it, as it this new treatment would save several human ´s lives.
The lack of moral values and principles that this new treatment lacks, is a big point that people take into consideration while going against this new scientific treatment. Using sheep in order to produce human AAT would be by all matters a human violation, as these animals do not deserve to have to go through this nasty process.
Personally, I believe that the use of transgenic sheep has to be a secure, regulated and modified one as to the point where it would not harm neither humans nor the sheep. It would be a great discovery if, humans would get cured from their respective sicknesses, but also if the sheep were not harmed, as they do not deserve to be hurt.
Diego M-C
The AAT helps preventing damage by an enzyme in white blood cells. To fight infection, this specific enzyme is released from the white blood cells and thanks to AAT, it stops it from attacking regular tissues. There is a hereditary disease that causes hepatitis and cirrhosis. To get treatment, sheep need to produce milk that contains AAT and due to our new technology, we are able to cure people suffering from A1AD. This is a huge development that we can use in our favor without harming the sheep.
ReplyDeleteUsing the latest technologies to make sheep produce protein AAT might be going against nature and especially people’s morals. In the process of genetically modifying the sheep can result in harming the sheep or even killing them. Many people would go against this and it would create many controversies.
In my opinion, sheep should be used to cure this disease as well as others under the circumstance that it is done with safety and no sheep will be harmed. This experimentation should have no issues if done correctly and properly.
- Blanca B.
For: The experiment of the creation of transgenic sheep that with their milk, they will produce human AAT is mind blowing. This means, that with the production of this type of milk, risky operations, such as lung transplant, will not be needed is very useful. Since many humans do not produce human AAT, this would save many lives and yet again a magnificent experiment to cure the diseases.
ReplyDeleteAgainst: In this new experiment moral values come in a big part. Creating sheep just for medical purposes that only benefit the humans with these types of problems in not fair. Moreover, the experiment has been proved 100% that it works, so maybe sheep are created and are useless.
In my opinion, if the experiment seems to be reliable it should be put forward, but only few sheep shall be mutated, so they can produce sufficient human AAT to cure the people that need that AAT.
Alex P.
Creating transgenic sheep would give us benefit but also disadvantage. One benefit is that they helps the people who is suffering from A1AD. Not only A1AD, they can also might be using for curing diseases and they are not harmful as well.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we can not judge whether it is best to use translation sheep just because they are not harmful. Translation sheep is no guarantee that they are benefited to us. They might cause lot of troubles since we never had that animal before. Also, what if they suffer when we used them as a tool to heal our diseases.
In my opinion, I am against translation sheep even though they might help our lives a lot. As I said, they are not guarantee that whether it is safe for us to have them or not.
Konomi U
For: Creating transgenic sheep to create AAT to help humans is a new concept that involves new technology and advanced science. This creation would be good because many children and adults are diagnosed with liver and lung problems because of Alpha-1 which creates a deficiency for AAT. This means that by drinking the milk of sheep that have AAT, these humans would be cured. Also, the sheep would not be harmed because they would only need to produce milk.
ReplyDeleteAgainst: The creation of transgenic sheep is not natural. Scientists would have to modify the sheep's genes. In addition, experimenting on animals can kill or harm them and this would mean that we would be killing living creatures just to help some people even though the problem would not be completely solved since the gene would still be able to be passed onto the next generation.
In my opinion, I would want to at least try to make these transgenic sheep because it could be done without harming any sheep. If these experiments were to not be successful or harm sheep I would not continue.
Karen D
The moral question of weather animals should be used and modified to help humans health has a been a subject of debate for years now. Many animal defender groups argue that it is not right to genetically change any animal, as humans should not alter nature under any circumstance. And I agree to the extent that the sheep are not asked if they want to offer their body and life to these medical trials, therefore we have no right to do it. On the other hand, many might argue that the creation of transgenic sheep will cause more good than bad. It will not only save the lives of the people with liver problems, but it might also open many doors to new technology, medical, and scientific advances.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I have never been a fan of using lab animals to try our medicines(for only our purpose), but at the same time I am a human, so it is in my nature to care more about the life of a dying child than that of a sheep. That does not mean I agree with what they are doing, but if on top of this it will not bring great harm to the sheep, then it is worth to save a human's life for such a low cost.
Claudia M
Transgenic sheep:
ReplyDeleteFor: The use of new technology involving transgenic sheep has a lot of potential. Many people are dying from deceases that could be cured by AAT. Scientists have found how to produce AAT through the genes In sheep. The transfer of these genes could help save thousands of lives. One good thing about the process is that it can be mostly safe for both the animal and the human.
Against: While this technology could be useful, it goes against animal rights and is not natural. For one, the sheep, or any subject animal, did not agree to undergo this procedure. Many animal rights movement would find this to be animal cruelty. It is also very un-natural and those who are either religious or naturalists would go against it.
My Opinion: Personally, I think this technology has a lot of good potential and should be used. At the same time I see the argument against it and would like strict restrictions to be placed on the use of this technology. It should be safe for the animals and be used only when absolutely necessary.
Cooper Devine