I was reminded of the Hyperion Cantos, where "biosculpting" is a thing and the reformed party animal had turned himself first into a satyr, and then back into standard human.
> "Such a treatment could raise ethical concerns about the cross-species implantation of cells, as well as the significant safety trials that would be required"
Yes the significant ethical concerns of deer antlers... what?
We need to just accelerate (in general; I don't have many thoughts about deer antlers but don't let this stop you) and not get into another incident spending 14 years "safety testing" golden rice: https://twitter.com/kanzure/status/1636170779447513091
Intentionally engineering features that make a pathogen more dangerous (whether or not that's the origin story of SARS-CoV-2) is not the same thing as putting antlers on a mouse. Or even putting antlers on a human.
Electricity is wonderful for lighting our homes, powering our thinking machines, and talking to each other over vast distances using radio. That doesn't mean it's OK for some rent-seeking asshole company to make electric torture devices and hand them out to the cops.
Likewise, genetic engineering can be useful, and fun, and productive, and insightful. It can also be murderous. The former don't per se imply the latter.
Not everything needs to be weaponized. And some things need not to be.
If it would help me to postpone old age by 200 years, I would gladly accept antlers. It's just bone, so I could always just saw them off if they get in the way
...If only someone would provide a full access link to the paper (Sigh & hint-hint). Then perhaps We (the HN Community) could have an adult conversation beyond what the Click-Baity submission title portrays.
For the curious, most of the photos just look like a weird tumor on top of the mouse head. A few display spindly growths that look like cordyceps. It's very gross and kind of disturbing.
Basically, it seems like they got a tumor of deer cells to grow on a mouse, and the deer cells started becoming antler-like. Unlike what the title of the article implies, it's not mice with antlers in the positions they would be on a deer.
What a mess. I guess without all the necessary context tissue that is required to make them work this is little more than a tumor. I wonder what they thought would happen.
I asked chatgpt, which has mastered the art of repeating the question back as an answer, sometimes adding prevarications and embelishments.
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The use of stem cells from one species to produce characteristics of another species in mice raises ethical concerns. The creation of "deer-like" features in mice for scientific purposes is considered unethical by some people because it involves the manipulation of the genetic makeup of animals for the sole purpose of experimentation.
Some may argue that such research is unethical because it does not consider the potential risks to animal welfare and may lead to the development of unnecessary and even harmful procedures for animals. It may also be seen as a form of cruelty to animals, as it involves genetic manipulation that can result in physical abnormalities or other unintended consequences.
On the other hand, proponents of this research may argue that it can provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of animal development and evolution. Furthermore, such research may lead to advancements in regenerative medicine and the treatment of diseases.
If future research is to be conducted in this area, it must be done ethically and with proper oversight. It is essential to ensure that animal welfare is taken into account and that the research is conducted in a way that minimizes harm to the animals involved.
Benefits of further research in this area may include a better understanding of animal development and evolution, and the potential development of new medical treatments. However, the drawbacks of such research include the potential for harm to animal welfare and ethical considerations regarding the manipulation of animal genetics.
In conclusion, the ethical implications of using stem cells from one species to create characteristics of another species in mice must be carefully considered before any future research is conducted. If further research is to be conducted, it must be done ethically and with proper oversight, taking into account the potential benefits and drawbacks of the research.
