Half-Human/Half-Animal
Apologies for my long absence!
Of mice and men
UK scientists are seeking permission to place human nuclei into animal eggs in a bid to create stem cell lines.
Why do researchers believe the intermingling of species could be vital to science?
But far from seeing their role as creators of freak-show fodder, scientists believe the creation of part-human part-animal creatures can help to study disease, advance areas such as fertility, and boost understanding of our basic biology.
These creatures are called chimeras, and are defined as organisms that contain at least two genetically different groups of cells originating from different organisms.
Different from hybrids, which are formed when one species' egg is fertilised with another species' sperm, such as the horse-donkey-cross mule, chimeras can occur between the same species or between different species; exist in nature or be created in the laboratory.
For full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6107796.stm
What kind of Pandora's Box are we opening when we assume to fuse different species together? Yeah, yeah, I know - perhaps we'll be able to study certain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinsons, and possibly develop cures. But what are the possible ramifications for such research? Could new diseases and conditions be formed by these new creatures, or possibly a consequence even more ominous? Are scientists genuinely motivated by the prospect of life-saving discoveries, or is it a convenient excuse to play creator?
Of mice and men
UK scientists are seeking permission to place human nuclei into animal eggs in a bid to create stem cell lines.
Why do researchers believe the intermingling of species could be vital to science?
But far from seeing their role as creators of freak-show fodder, scientists believe the creation of part-human part-animal creatures can help to study disease, advance areas such as fertility, and boost understanding of our basic biology.
These creatures are called chimeras, and are defined as organisms that contain at least two genetically different groups of cells originating from different organisms.
Different from hybrids, which are formed when one species' egg is fertilised with another species' sperm, such as the horse-donkey-cross mule, chimeras can occur between the same species or between different species; exist in nature or be created in the laboratory.
For full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6107796.stm
What kind of Pandora's Box are we opening when we assume to fuse different species together? Yeah, yeah, I know - perhaps we'll be able to study certain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinsons, and possibly develop cures. But what are the possible ramifications for such research? Could new diseases and conditions be formed by these new creatures, or possibly a consequence even more ominous? Are scientists genuinely motivated by the prospect of life-saving discoveries, or is it a convenient excuse to play creator?
posted by Kim Ferguson @ 7:19 PM
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