惊人实验:同性伴侣未来也能生儿育女

         Scientists have created mice with two fathers – raising the possibility of gay couples having children who are genetically their own.

In experiments hailed as a ‘new form of mammalian reproduction’, American researchers used a complex series of steps to engineer ‘male eggs’ to be carried by female mice.

　　The creatures were then mated with normal males – leading to the creation of pups with two fathers.

　　科学家成功培育出了一只有两个“爹”的小白鼠，这为“同志”伴侣繁衍后代的可能性给许多同志伴侣带来了新的希望。科学家们通过复杂的步骤，将“雄性卵子”植入了雌性体内，之后雌性白鼠在与正常的雄性白鼠交配产子，而新生的幼鼠则成为了“两位父亲”的“杰作”。

　　The geneticists behind the controversial technique said it could potentially be used to improve livestock breeds or preserve endangered species. More provocatively, they claim that if the technique can be refined, ‘someday two men could produce their own genetic sons and daughters’.But critics say such a scenario would sideline women from the creation of life – and a child’s health and wellbeing should always take precedence over an adult’s desire to be a parent, however strong.

　　科学家表示此项科技可用于提高畜禽品种质量和保护濒危灭绝物种，而更具争议的是，它或许将使得“男性之间实现生儿育女”成为现实。但反对者批评这样的情况或将女性排除在繁衍后代的过程之外，而小孩的身心健康、生活幸福总是要比一个成年人希望为人父母的欲望要来得强烈的多。

　　Other stem cell experts and ethicists have questioned the need to go through such a complex process to create life. Chris Mason, professor of regenerative medicine at University College London, said: ‘One day it may be possible in people, although the technical barriers are far higher than in mice, plus there are major safety issues. ‘The real question, is why would doctors want to use the technique for people? I would be extremely surprised if this scientific discovery had any impact on clinical medicine.’

　　不过有些干细胞学者和伦理专家对于这一过程的复杂与繁复性提出了疑问。“或许有一天这一方法将运用于人类，不过人类‘安全壁垒’则远远高于小白鼠，而且其中存在严重的安全隐患。”一位来自伦敦大学的医学教授说到，“真正的问题在于，医生为何要将之技术运用于人类，我认为这一科学发现对于临床医学的影响有限。”

　　Josephine Quintavalle, of campaign group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said: ‘By the scientists’ own admission it was a weird project, but apart from doing it just for the hang of it, there does not seem to be any real justification for the research.

　　'We should worry when scientists in the area of mammalian reproduction seem to be beyond self-regulation.’

　　还有学者批评，“这样一个实验室非常不可理喻的，我们真正该担心的是哺乳动物生殖领域的某些‘专家’已经逾越了科学家应有的自律底线。”