In recent years scientists have created genetically modified pigs for the purpose of xenotransplantations. These are transplants of animal organs into human patients. But xenotransplantation has a long history. Since the early twentieth century, many surgeons tried to insert animal organs into human and non-human bodies. This paper examines the controversies that these innovations have caused in the United States and France, including the notion of the objectification of animals. Three phases are described. The historical review shows that far from the choice of pigs being "natural" it turns out to be recent and to follow controversies surrounding the possible use of primates. During the last phase, the scientists have internalized the "animal issue" in their practice: the official donor is now the pig, and the animals are treated respectfully during all the lab manipulations. Since pigs are different from humans they can be objectified and thus absorbed. This objective distance is, however, threatened by new discourses on animal rights, by genetic manipulations that "humanise" pigs, and by scientific practice itself that recognizes a moral proximity between pigs and men.
History of Philosophy of the Life Sciences is an interdisciplinary journal committed to providing an integrative approach to understanding the life sciences. In specific terms, it welcomes submissions from biologists, historians, philosophers, and scholars in the social study of science that offer broad and interdisciplinary perspectives on the development of biology, especially as these perspectives illuminate both biology's scientific development and its larger role in society. Submissions which are collaborative and feature different disciplinary approaches are especially encouraged, as are submissions written by senior and junior scholars (including graduate students). HPLS also welcomes submissions featuring novel formats. While it is anticipated most submissions will represent recent scholarship, they may also include essays on contemporary issues or perspectives, results of unique workshops, and/or discussions featuring a wide-range of perspectives. Papers are published on the understanding that they have not been published before and are not concurrently under offer to any other journal. Authors will usually receive a decision on their articles within 3 months of receipt. The languages of the journal are English, French, German, and Italian; however, other languages can be considered. Book reviews are published only in English.
The Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn of Naples was established in 1872 by the German scientist Anton Dohrn. It is at present a public research organization controlled by the Ministero dell'Istruzione dell'Università e della Ricerca. The Stazione Zoologica is among the top research institutions in the world in the fields of marine biology and ecology. Initiated by its founder with the mission to promote basic research by hosting scientists that needed marine organisms for their studies, it is now based on the research carried out by its own staff. The present mission of the Stazione Zoologica is to conduct basic research in biology with a focus on marine organisms and their biodiversity, tightly linked with studies on biological evolution and marine ecosystem dynamics, using an integrated and interdisciplinary approach. The Stazione Zoologica also supports access to marine organisms for the international scientific community and provides high level training in its mission areas.
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History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences
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