First Things First

The Senate is rapidly approaching its summer recess, and there is so much legislation to complete before then! Pressing issues that affect us all include our economy, health care reform, even environmental issues. Still, wise lawmakers prioritize:

Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to ban the creation of human-animal hybrids.

Led by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), 19 Republicans and 1 Democrat introduced a bill yesterday that would prevent U.S. researchers from developing embryos that use both human and animal material, a controversial practice underway in the UK.

Brownback has long been an opponent of stem cell research and human cloning, yet the idea of human-animal hybrids has gotten little media attention.

"What was once only science fiction is now becoming a reality, and we need to ensure that experimentation and subsequent ramifications do not outpace ethical discussion and societal decisions," Brownback said last year when he introduced similar legislation. "History does not look kindly on those who violate the dignity of the human person."

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), the only Democratic co-sponsor, has taken a similarly hardline stance against what she called "blending" of species.

"Here in the United States, we simply cannot open the door to the unethical blending of humans and animals, which the British government seems intent on doing," Landrieu said the last time she introduced similar legislation. "It creates an unnatural species and is a clear line we cannot cross."

The legislation, S. 1435, has garnered 20 co-sponsors so far, including John McCain and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)

I never got that upset at Bush's stem-cell research funding ban, because it didn't ban the research itself. It just left it up to free enterprise to fund it. This, on the other hand...

A. What the hell kind of code is Human Animal Hybrid for? What are they trying to say to the base that I don't understand? Because I don't see an army of centaurs being an especially pressing problem, even among the normal talking points. It doesn't, for example, advance the rising tide of SOCIALISM if some of the socialists are horse-people.

B. Why NOT human/animal hybrids? If there is a commercial demand for GMO crops, let's sell 'em. If people decide they want dogs with hands, let's get 'em out in time for Christmas.