Thought for the Day, 10 July 2008

Oliver McTernan

When I was a teenager the question used to challenge one another's courage was "Are you a man or a mouse?" But soon this question could have a different connotation.

Research published this week in Barcelona at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology shows that mice can now be used as surrogate sperm producers for infertile men. Whilst I marvel at the ability, skill and determination of those involved in such research these latest findings appear to blur the boundaries between human and animal life and for me at least raise some very fundamental questions about our human identity.

Scientists need to be able to explore the boundaries of our present knowledge and especially if we are to overcome the physical dysfunctionalities that can cause so much human pain and suffering. But they also need to be aware of the risks involved in pursuing such new discoveries.

The book of Genesis alerts us to this in the colourful story of how Eve was tempted by the serpent to eat from the forbidden tree in the garden where she and Adam lived in harmony with each other and the rest of nature. It was Eve's desire to gain wisdom and to be like God, we're told, and that prompted her to move beyond the set boundaries.

Her intentions may have been good but the consequences we're told were disastrous. The story is a spiritual-theological reflection on the need to use our human knowledge wisely in order to avoid disrupting the balance within nature as well as losing a sense of who we are. Had we been more attentive to this insight in recent years and had used our knowledge and resources more wisely there would be less cause for alarm over climate change as was expressed at this week's G8 summit.

Somewhat late in the day it appears we are coming to realize the potentially disastrous consequences of acting without regard or respect for the inbuilt balance in nature. Hopefully we will learn from this and won't be faced with an equal level of alarm at some time in the future because of failure to act now with restraint in the fields of human fertilization and embryology.

To blur the boundary between human and animal life in the act of reproduction risks undermining the essence of our human dignity.