Chimera’s Children: Ethical, Philosophical and Religious Perspectives on Human–Nonhuman Combinations

Edited by Calum MacKellar and David A. Jones
ISBN 978–1–4411–9886–0
Continuum Books, London: 2012
208 pages (pb)
RRP: £18.99

Reviewed by Matt James

Those of us who are regularly engaged in the bioethics conversation will remember that 2008 was a particularly significant year in the UK. Parliament debated and passed the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which helped to introduce the general public to novel terms such as ‘chimera’, ‘hybrids’ and ‘cybrids’.  While they may have been new terms to many the idea of human–nonhuman combinations have a long history dating all the way back to the dog heads of the Middle Ages and the myths of the Minotaur and the centaurs in ancient Greece. What makes these combinations relevant for debate today is in the light of new biomedical advances which allow for these entities to become a reality by creating interspecies combinations. But just what is possible and what are the implications of such experimentation? Why the fascination with creating inter–species combinations?

In light of these questions and the ensuing interest in human–nonhuman combinations following the debate in 2008, Professors Calum MacKellar and David A. Jones have recently published Chimera’s Children: Ethical, Philosophical and Religious Perspectives on Human–Nonhuman Experimentation. The book claims to be the first accessible survey of the different ethical dilemmas facing contemporary society in the creation of human–nonhuman embryonic, foetal and postnatal entities.

Book’s structure

The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 lays out the background, definitions and current legislation. Here the authors provide a lucid overview of the history of human–nonhuman combinations before examining and clarifying the various terms such as chimera, hybrid, and admixed embryo. From here they engage in what is probably the highlight for me of this section: an engaging comparative analysis and review of international law in terms of the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the European Union instruments as well as the national regulations of Argentina, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, South Korea, Australia, France, the United States and the United Kingdom. This section is particularly reminiscent of Mulkay’s The Embryo Research Debate (CUP) in terms of its attention to detail and style of discussion and analysis. Without trivialising the details or turning it into a mere narrative of events or summary of key points, there is a sense of energy and engagement with the details which jumps off the page and makes for an informative and arresting read. The key message from this section of the book is just how much more needs to be done in terms of consultation in order to shape and inform effective legislation which keeps abreast of developments in this field and does not make the situation worse by virtue of vague and vacuous terminology.

Part two looks in more detail at the developments in the creation of human–nonhuman combinations. This is tackled with care and attention to avoid the hype whilst affirming the hope of advances in new biotechnologies. Given the fact that the UK has a very permissive legislative framework in relation to human–nonhuman combinations it is understandable (as well as enlightening) that the authors contrast the various practices with the UK’s legal framework.

Cultural, worldview and ethical perspectives is the focus of part three of the book. This section helps to identify ways in which the questions surrounding human–nonhuman combinations can be framed. Very often bioethical issues can become framed by the same old parameters (pro life versus pro choice for example). This book helps to engage with a new and emerging issue and demonstrate that there are many ways of approaching the subject. How many of us would readily consider the question of human–nonhuman combinations in terms of feminist or environmentalist schools of thoughts, let alone Marxism? Yet given the time to consider and reflect upon these issues from these perspectives help to enrich and widen the conversation which is critical. The book neither argues for nor against but instead provides material for the reader to inspire their own thinking and inform their own conclusions.

Style

The editors are to be commended on what is a well researched and well edited book which is greatly helped by a lucid style of writing. This is no mean feat given the subject material. Presentation of scientific terminology, analysis of legal instruments and ethical perspectives are woven together seamlessly in way that the reader is able to follow with ease without compromising intellectual rigour. Quite literally, there is a flow to this book which cannot always be said of other books which aim to adopt the same survey approach.

A glossary of terms is offered at the end of the book which should be helpful to those who might be approaching the subject from a non–scientific background or may already have a good grasp of the terminology but wish to clarify where the authors’ are coming from. From even a cursory review of the subject, it is clear that there is a degree of diversity in terms of what is meant by different terms and definitions. While terms such as gamete, blastocyte and ovum will not differ significantly, others may well do so thus providing a glossary in a book of this kind is to be welcomed. Likewise the bibliography lists referenced material alongside recommended sources in order to inform further study.

A comprehensive survey

The key strength of the book lies in the fact that rather than offer the reader a strong ethical argument for or against the creation of human–non–human combinations, it offers a comprehensive survey of the topic in order to help stimulate ongoing discussion and debate. The wealth of material the book boasts will no doubt cause it to become a definitive source text on the topic in the years to come with well thumbed and annotated copies occupying the shelves of scientists, philosophers, grass roots activists and policy makers alike. This is testament once again to the style and tone of the book. Chimera’s Children spans the disciplines comfortably without overstretching itself and stands as an excellent introductory text for the public to engage with.

What comes through clearly in parts 1 and 2 of the book is the fact that both the public and policy makers were poorly served by the UK media coverage and engagement with the issues surrounding the HFE Act. Chimera’s Children goes some way in addressing this imbalance and provides the general public with an accessible reference text which can help to inform their thinking in the face of future challenges to come. The HFE bill became the HFE Act and so on the one hand the book has arrived too late. Nevertheless, as is so characteristic with many new technologies the speed of development shows no sign of slowing down. The precise nature of the challenge may be unknown but the fact that there will be other challenges to face appears certain. With this in mind the clarion call Chimera’s Children offers is to engage in well–informed public dialogue. In so doing, the book positions itself to help make a strong and valuable contribution to such a dialogue.

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