The US Federal Government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) on 9 August announced a proposed change in the ethical limits of federally funded research, allowing animal/human ‘cross-species’ research.
By injecting animal embryos with human stem cells, scientists can create ‘chimera’ hybrids. By creating and nourishing these beings, letting the hybrid embryos develop into fully-grown animals with human cells and organs, scientists can then use the human/animal for experiments, ostensibly to learn about and treat diseases. Researchers say they might be able to breed sheep, pigs, and cows with human hearts, kidneys, etc. for human transplantation.
Critics say creating a species of partially human chimeras is inhuman, unethical and immoral. The NIH, recognising those concerns, proposes certain restrictions and an additional level of external oversight for chimera research.
