The Ethics Thinking About The Human-animal Chimeras Technology

The technology of human-animal chimeras is creating human-animal hybrids that grow from hybrid embryos by injecting human stem cells into animal embryos. It has important medical advances: to expand the resources for organ ransplantation; to solve the problem of an under-supply of human ova; to reduce the risk and cost of human experiments; and hopefully, to cure some difficult and complicated diseases. However, in some ways it also challenges the traditional human ethical standards: it may diminish the prestige of human; it may cause the feeling of repugnance; it may destroy the integrity of species for its departure from the "principle of nature"; and in its worst possibility, it may even threaten human life.In view of the above ethical problems, it is necessary to make up ethical guidances for the study of human-animal chimeras. The basic four principles of the guidances are "no-harm", "usefulness", "respect", and "righteousness". "No-harm", as the foremost principle, means the possibility of harmfulness should be limited to the least degree, while its benefit should be maximized. "Usefulness" means to take into account whether the technology increases or decreases human happiness: if it is the former, then its study is meaningful; if it is the later, then it should be forbidden. "Respect" mainly maintains informed consent: experiments could be done by the researchers only after the participants who are studied have had appropriate counseling and have given their informed consent. "Justice" is distributive justice: the rights and duties of the participants should be distributed equally; no persons, groups, or social classes could oust the rights of research equally shared.Besides, it is also indispensable to set up strict laws and regulations. The relation between the technology of human-animal chimeras and its ethical consideration, is like the relation between athletes and referees: two together decide the final result. Instead of hindering the study of human-animal chimeras, ethical guidances facilitate its healthier development. The technology of human-animal chimeras will contribute to the human civilization for sure if its study is conducted under strict ethical guidances and law supervisions.The study of human-animal chimeras in general is a matter about the well-being of humankind. The scientists should develop this technology on the basis of respecting life and within the ethical guidances.