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Animal-Human Hybrids Spark Controversy
National Geographic ^ | January 25, 2005 | Maryann Mott

Posted on 01/27/2005 8:08:03 AM PST by Jay777

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....

(Excerpt) Read more at news.nationalgeographic.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: bioethics; chimeras; genetics
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To: Jay777

planet of the apes??????


21 posted on 01/27/2005 8:20:58 AM PST by camas
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To: Jay777; PatrickHenry
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.

I guess they had to destroy them, considering the overpopulation problem China already has...

22 posted on 01/27/2005 8:21:46 AM PST by Junior (FABRICATI DIEM, PVNC)
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To: Jay777
Barbara Chimera Boxer:


23 posted on 01/27/2005 8:22:10 AM PST by Republican Red (DU: ''Reality sucks. That's the problem. We want another reality.'')
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To: Graymatter
Can you hear me now? What about this guy?


Mickey Mouse Ears?

24 posted on 01/27/2005 8:23:03 AM PST by Jay777 (Gen. Tommy Franks for President in 08)
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To: Republican Red

LOL! Thanks for the laugh!


25 posted on 01/27/2005 8:23:48 AM PST by Jay777 (Gen. Tommy Franks for President in 08)
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To: playball0
Breeding animals with custom human parts for use in transplant surgery is OK.

I agree.

Those who would want to ban this: Where do you draw the line? What about the genetically modified bacteria which make human insulin - are those "monsters"?

26 posted on 01/27/2005 8:25:41 AM PST by Chemist_Geek ("Drill, R&D, and conserve" should be our watchwords! Energy independence for America!)
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To: Jay777

Yes, but can you marry them?


27 posted on 01/27/2005 8:26:13 AM PST by Uncle Miltie (Democrat Obstructionists will be Daschled!)
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To: Jay777
This opens up some intriguing possibilities. It also opens Pandora's box. Genetic manipulation and splicing can be exciting issues but if not governed by a set of ethics and laws it can create monsters or worse. To completely ban something because we don't understand it is wrong but then so is playing God with a power we do not fully understand yet. This looks like it could boil up into something that won't be good for anyone.
28 posted on 01/27/2005 8:28:33 AM PST by Hu Gadarn (Millions for Defense not one cent in Tribute)
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To: johnmilken
You and me both......I can't believe they would deliberately make a thing with a human brain and experiment on it. How cruel.

I read a story once about making human bodies adapted
for other environments, like gills for underwater and
4 arms for no gravity. In the story, those people were
considered just people and not experimental things.
29 posted on 01/27/2005 8:28:34 AM PST by jusduat (I am a strange and recurring anomaly)
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Comment #30 Removed by Moderator

To: Chemist_Geek; playball0
Breeding animals with custom human parts for use in transplant surgery is OK.

I don't think we should ban that either... but then where do we draw the line? If we can transplant hearts or livers, why not fertilized eggs? Are unfertilized eggs okay?

I feel sick.

31 posted on 01/27/2005 8:31:48 AM PST by bigLusr (Quiquid latine dictum sit altum viditur)
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To: Hu Gadarn

Monsters! Scary, that we just might create something that ends up destroying us. What will they do when that mouse with a human brain looks up and says "Please don't kill me!" Or "mama?"


32 posted on 01/27/2005 8:32:05 AM PST by Jay777 (Gen. Tommy Franks for President in 08)
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To: Jay777

Thanks, my ferret is turned on by that photo.


33 posted on 01/27/2005 8:32:12 AM PST by Graymatter
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To: Brad Cloven

Can you marry them? Are you interested?


34 posted on 01/27/2005 8:32:31 AM PST by Jay777 (Gen. Tommy Franks for President in 08)
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To: Jay777
Here's a hybrid that some of you guys might like.


35 posted on 01/27/2005 8:32:41 AM PST by SilentServiceCPOWife (Romeo&Juliet, Troilus&Crisedye, Bogey&Bacall, Gable&Lombard, Brigitte&Flav)
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To: jusduat

People with gills would cause a bunch of trouble. They would make friends with the underwater creatures and start a revolution with the fish! Fish have feelings too you know? PETA said so. :)


36 posted on 01/27/2005 8:34:15 AM PST by Jay777 (Gen. Tommy Franks for President in 08)
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To: Jay777
How awful!

Carolyn

37 posted on 01/27/2005 8:35:03 AM PST by CDHart (The world has become a lunatic asylum and the lunatics are in charge.)
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To: SilentServiceCPOWife

Slow news day today? Or no news day?


38 posted on 01/27/2005 8:35:10 AM PST by Jay777 (Gen. Tommy Franks for President in 08)
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To: Petronski
Agreed. I feel as if I've been punched in the stomach...

Carolyn

39 posted on 01/27/2005 8:37:08 AM PST by CDHart (The world has become a lunatic asylum and the lunatics are in charge.)
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To: Echo Talon

Try to buy a suit off the rack.


40 posted on 01/27/2005 8:37:18 AM PST by massgopguy (massgopguy)
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