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Oxford Lab debate -- new new thread

Smad | 08.03.2006 19:28 | Animal Liberation

What is science?

Let's say I'm a researcher at a cancer laboratory. I'm working on understanding how mutations in certian genes predisposes women to cancer.

I know from epidemiological analyses that if women inherit a specific mutation in the BRCA2 gene, they will have roughly an 80 per cent chance (controlling for lifestyle factors, like smoking, weight, etc) of developing an aggressive breast cancer in their lifetimes.

From reading the literature, I suspect the BRCA2 gene may be involved in controlling the cell cycle (ie the mechanisms by which the cell divides and grows). I want to find out more about how this gene works -- exactly how it controls cell division. I think that if I discover how it works, I may one day be able to design a drug that can help fix the problems in the cell that happen when the gene is mutated.

What do I do? What is the next step?

The above is an open solicitation for answers. Put yourself in the scientists' shoes. How would you go about doing your research? What tools do you think are available to you?

Smad

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Sane solution

08.03.2006 20:55

You could do your experiments on computer models. These models are effective and the only argument against this is the expense incurred. How much is a monkeys life worth to you in dollars ? Of course a 100 monkeys are cheaper than a super-computer but the results are more accurate and the finance should be secondary to anyone truly interested in relieving human suffering rather than just furthering their own careers on the cheap.

Or, if you have no money for computers, then you could study the effects of the illness in people who suffer from it. It might take longer, but it is certainly more moral.

Didn't you study ethics at Oxford ? Do you know the meaning of the word ? If so it isn't apparent.

I don't deny my own life expectancy could perhaps be extended if you were allowed to needlessly torture other animals on my behalf. It isn't necessary though and so I condemn your intent - I would rather die young than live to senility at the expense of others torment.

If the only way to cure a disease prevalent among the English was to torture Africans would you torture them ? The same reasons that make you wince from that argument should give you cause to doubt your current torture of animals.

Danny