The Island of Doctor Moreau is an 1896 science fiction novel written by H. G. Wells. In this prescient novel, Wells explores the monstrous moral consequences of messing with the fundamentals of the human fabric. Combining humans with animals.

Now comes this story from Well’s native Britain:

Britain may allow hybrid human-animal embryos
Under pressure from research scientists, the British government has backed away from a plan to outlaw the creation of hybrid embryos– part human, part animal– to be used from stem-cell research.

A draft version of the Human Tissue and Embryos bill would allow the creation of “cytoplasmic” embryos, combining human genetic material with eggs from other mammal.

It is amazing that Wells could so clearly see the horror of such experimentation over a century ago but we are so blind to it today. When I read such things I am often reminded of a prophecy issued by the Ven. Bartholomew Holzhauser, a 17th century Bavarian priest, ecclesiastical writer, and founder of a religious community. He spoke of a generation such as ours when he said:

“They will ridicule Christian simplicity; they will call it folly and nonsense, but they will have the highest regard for advanced knowledge, and for the skill by which the axioms of the law, the precepts of morality, the Holy Canons and religious dogmas are clouded by senseless questions and elaborate arguments. As a result, no principle at all, however holy, authentic, ancient, and certain it may be, will remain free of censure, criticism, false interpretations, modification and delimitation by man.”

Amazingly prescient as well. If Britain goes ahead with this hideous plan, the title of the 1933 movie based on Well’s novel will be suitable for Britain itself, the The Island of Lost Souls.