Human/Rabbit Hybrids Proposed in Stem-Cell Research

Perhaps it is simply because I watched The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe a couple of weeks ago where the imagery of half-man/half-(insert animal here)s were very vivid and believable, that I am disturbed by news out of Britain today.

From the Guardian with a hat tip to Drudge.

British scientists are seeking permission to create hybrid embryos in the lab by fusing human cells with rabbit eggs. If granted consent, the team will use the embryos to produce stem cells that carry genetic defects, in the hope that studying them will help understand the complex mechanisms behind incurable human diseases.

The proposal drew strong criticism from opponents to embryo research who yesterday challenged the ethics of the research and branded the work repugnant.

Do I have to define why I believe this sort of thing is wrong, or can I simply say and believe it without having to get a degree in human bio-ethics before anyone would listen?