A California company is teaming up with a biotech firm to create genetically modified pigs with lungs and other organs designed for use in human transplants. According to the company's leader, Synthetic Genomics CEO J. Craig Venter, they plan to produce pig cells compatible with human immune systems. Those cells would be made into embryos which would grow into pigs with transplantable organs.
Animal organ transplantation is worrisome because it can introduce animal-specific diseases, such as influenza, into humans. It is also cruel to use animals as hosts for human organs. Even though the animals are produced in a lab, they can feel physical and emotional pain just like "normal" animals and humans do. San Diego animal-rights activist and lawyer Bryan Pease says, “If it can cross the species boundary, it can cause H1N1 or swine flu."
Please sign the petition to urge Synthetic Genomics to end their plans to grow human organs in pigs, and to refocus their efforts to human stem cells.
We, the undersigned, are concerned with your plans to create genetically modified pigs with lungs and other organs designed for use in human transplants.
Animal organ transplantation is worrisome because it can introduce animal-specific diseases, such as influenza, into humans. It is also cruel to use animals as hosts for human organs. Even though the animals are produced in a lab, they can feel physical and emotional pain just like "normal" animals and humans do. San Diego animal-rights activist and lawyer Bryan Pease says, “If it can cross the species boundary, it can cause H1N1 or swine flu."
We respectfully urge you to end your plans to grow human organs in pigs, and to refocus your efforts to human stem cells. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
