Not in Georgia; Rep. Kirby proposes bill to ban the mixing of animals and humans

Rep. Kirby says no to combining the genetic material of humans and jellyfish.

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Scientists did it with the embryos of jellyfish. At least, that is what Representative Tom Kirby reportedly said. Apparently, Cornell scientists combined the genetic material of humans with the floating sea creature to make some sort of hybrid. And it could happen on more levels than that. That is why Kirby is taking preventative measures and has introduced a bill that would ban the creation of human-animal hybrids.

The bill has drawn scrutiny from many but Kirby is persistent to his cause. When asked if the creation of a human-animal hybrid is really possible, he replies with utmost certainty, “Yes, it is.” He has further stated, as reported by 13WMAZ Feb, 21, that results from bringing together many seemingly mythological combinations such as mermaids, centaurs, bird-people and werewolves should stay just that, relegated to a mythological and imagined past.

According to the Washington Post, if the bill should pass, it would make it a misdemeanor offense "for any person or entity to intentionally or knowingly create or attempt to create an in vitro hybrid human-animal embryo" in the state of Georgia. The bill would also ban the "transfer [of] an in vitro human embryo into the womb of a nonhuman or to transfer an in vitro non-human embryo into the womb of a human."

Kirby’s proposed bill does not mean or intend to undermine scientific research which uses animal genetic material in efforts to find solutions for human ailments. Nor does his bill go into motion with the intent to nix creatures, such as mermaids and centaurs, should they already exist. Kirby is even open to the idea that any portion of humankind at some point could evolve as something like a bird-person. If that is the case, those particular bird-kin would not be considered unlawful.

One reporter from AJC.com caught up to the man behind the proposed bill to ask him why such legislation would be necessary. According to the Georgia lawmaker, scientists have been researching ways to bring together the genetic material of animal and human embryos in the U.S. and he wants to make sure that kind of research never touches his home state. However, Kirby has heard through the grapevine that such research has already been occurring in Georgia. “I’ve had people tell me it is but I have not verified it for sure,” he told AJC.com.

The bill is not quite a laughingstock, but other lawmakers deem it kind of a waste of time in lieu of other more immediate issues such as education, jobs and transportation. But Kirby is quite serious about his proposed bill, so much so that it has become one of the four main points featured in his reelection campaign. “The mixing of Human Embryos with Jellyfish cells to create a glow in the dark human, we say not in Georgia. This bill is about protecting Human life while maintaining good, valid research that does not destroy life,” reads his note about the issue on his website.

According to the Washington Post, if the bill passes, Georgia will not be alone. Arizona and Louisiana have similar measures in place already and George W. Bush called for a ban in his 2006 State of the Union address which spoke against “human cloning in all its forms….” The former president stated that experiments involving the creation or implantation of embryos go against nature and therefore are unethical.

Laughingstock or not, Rep. Kirby has some esteemed company in his efforts and one has to wonder whether other state legislatures will follow suit.

*originally published on the now defunct Examiner.com