News & Politics - Scientists debate blending of human, animal forms

Katis · 11-22-2004, 02:02 PM

Quote:

In Minnesota, pigs are being born with human blood in their veins.

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In Nevada, there are sheep whose livers and hearts are largely human.

In California, mice peer from their cages with human brain cells firing inside their skulls.

These are not outcasts from "The Island of Dr. Moreau," the 1896 novel by H.G. Wells in which a rogue doctor develops creatures that are part animal and part human. They are real creations of real scientists, stretching the boundaries of stem cell research.

Biologists call these hybrid animals chimeras, after the mythical Greek creature with a lion's head, a goat's body and a serpent's tail. They are the products of experiments in which human stem cells were added to developing animal fetuses.

Living test beds
Chimeras are allowing scientists to watch, for the first time, how nascent human cells and organs mature and interact — not in the cold isolation of laboratory dishes but inside the bodies of living creatures. Some are already revealing deep secrets of human biology and pointing the way toward new medical treatments.

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ColorMist · 11-22-2004, 02:29 PM

This reminds me of an anime movie (or was it mini-series?) they showed dubbed on the Cartoon Network several years ago -- Blue Sub 6 (or something like that). While I wasn't paying very close attention while watching it, the plot was basically about this doctor who had created these mutant fish/human creatures. (I think there was also a worldwide flood going on...not sure of the details.) The mutants were basically monsters -- they looked awful, and would not be accepted by the human race...and yet they could talk and express their feelings like humans. So they were stuck in limbo.

It had an incredibly depressing ending. I don't remember the specifics but it involved one of the monsters wailing (about the mad scientist) "Papa, Papa, Papa!!" or something like that.

Yes. Very depressing.
-[-*colormist*-]-

LittleMilkJug · 11-22-2004, 03:13 PM

I'm all for growing human organs to be used for transplant patients but putting human neurons in an animal?

Enigma, I.C. · 11-22-2004, 04:48 PM

That's kinda...uh...different. Is that the word? It kinda gives me the creeps.

Eddy · 11-22-2004, 06:05 PM

I hope those rats don't go all Planet of the Apes.

mh67511 · 11-22-2004, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eddy
I hope those rats don't go all Planet of the Apes.

Tell me about it. That movie creeped me out...talking MONKEYS?

Katis · 11-22-2004, 07:30 PM

I think it's creepy too, but at the same time...it would be so wonderful to be able to make those medical advances. They just have to be very careful not to cross the line, and what would the line be?

PassionWagon · 11-22-2004, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Katis
They just have to be very careful not to cross the line, and what would the line be?

When you see an emu in kitten heels opening a joint bank account with an old man, then you'll know the line's been crossed.


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