March 22, 2000 / National Post / Editorials
Jacqui Barnes, Director, Animal Alliance of Canada, Toronto, writes that the
coverage of the five cloned piglets born earlier this month (New Market for
Little Piggies, March 15), serves as yet another chilling reminder of the
separation between science and society. It seems that while society has yet
to come to a consensus on the suitability, feasibility and safety of
genetically modified (GM) organisms, the biotechnology industry is busy
proliferating them. Biotech companies wanting to monopolize the
xenotransplantation (transplanting the organs of one species into another)
market are rushing to be the first to "create" the ideal pig source. As
society struggles to keep pace with the industry's profit-driven notion that
"if we create it, they will use it," it has already resulted in a backlash
against GM or "Frankenstein" foods.
The news of the birth of these animals is not that xenotransplantation is a
step closer to reality, but rather, and more importantly, that human cloning
is rapidly approach reality.
(posted without permission)
