Animal-Human Hybrids Spark Controversy :: General Science

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January 27, 2005

Animal-Human Hybrids Spark Controversy

Topics: General Science

"Believe it or not," this technology isn't new, I was able to find a research article on this subject back in April 19, 1984.

- National Geographic News
Scientists have begun blurring the line between human and animal by producing chimeras--a hybrid creature that's part human, part animal.

Chinese scientists at the Shanghai Second Medical University in 2003 successfully fused human cells with rabbit eggs. The embryos were reportedly the first human-animal chimeras successfully created. They were allowed to develop for several days in a laboratory dish before the scientists destroyed the embryos to harvest their stem cells.

In Minnesota last year researchers at the Mayo Clinic created pigs with human blood flowing through their bodies.

And at Stanford University in California an experiment might be done later this year to create mice with human brains.

Scientists feel that, the more humanlike the animal, the better research model it makes for testing drugs or possibly growing "spare parts," such as livers, to transplant into humans. Read more...

For some background and additional resources on the topic, read:

What Is Too Human? The ethics of human/animal chimeras

Chinese Scientists Create First Human-Animal Embryo

Hat tip - Drudge Report

Posted by Hyscience at January 27, 2005 12:40 PM

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