Animal-Human Hybrids Spark Controversy

National Geographic ^ | January 25, 2005 | Maryann Mott

[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....

[camas]

planet of the apes??????

[Junior]

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...

[Republican Red]

Barbara Chimera Boxer:

[Jay777]

Can you hear me now? What about this guy?

Mickey Mouse Ears?

[Jay777]

LOL! Thanks for the laugh!

[Chemist_Geek]

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"?

[Uncle Miltie]

Yes, but can you marry them?

[Hu Gadarn]

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.

[jusduat]

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.

[bigLusr]

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.

[Jay777]

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?"

[Graymatter]

Thanks, my ferret is turned on by that photo.

[Jay777]

Can you marry them? Are you interested?

[SilentServiceCPOWife]

Here's a hybrid that some of you guys might like.

[Jay777]

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. :)

[CDHart]

How awful!

Carolyn

[Jay777]

Slow news day today? Or no news day?

[CDHart]

Agreed. I feel as if I've been punched in the stomach...

Carolyn

[massgopguy]

Try to buy a suit off the rack.