Chimera Research: Animal and Human Hybirds

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The idea of animal and human hybrids has referenced in various folklore and sci-fi fantasies. However, the animal and human hybrids has become a reality. Human and animal experiments have been produced since the 2000s.The human and animals hybrids are called chimeras, a beast from Greek mythology,in which it had a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a snake’s tail. The research of chimeras has opened a new doorway into medical research, a doorway into the unknown, and provided new information about the human genome.
Chimeras are created by injecting foreign DNA(from another animal) into a developing animal embryo. Chimeras were first primarily used to understand developmental biology. Today, chimeras are used for disease processes, test new drugs, and organ transplants. Sheep and pig have been genetically modified to produce human organs for transplant. In 2004, pigs have been modified to have human blood (Silverman). Since chimeras can be genetically modified to include human DNA, they are better research subjects. Irv Weissman, a director of Stanford University’s Institute of Cancer/Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, created mice with 100 percent human brains. Weissman believes the mice can offer ground-breaking information in combating brain functions and diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's. Consequently, there is much opposition against the research and use of chimeras (Mott).
Some scientists, knowledgeable public, and animal activists are concerned with the research of chimeras. Many believe chimeras are morally unethical, diminishes human integrity, and invades the rights of animals and humans. There are two main categories of opposition, those against the complete research and use of chimeras and those who oppose the ...

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...w.ahc.umn.edu/img/assets/25857/chimeras.pdf>.

Lam, Vivienne. "The Truth About Chimeras." Science Creative Quarterly. Science Creative
Quarterly, 20 Nov. 2007. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
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Mott, Maryann. "Animal-Human Hybrids Spark Controversy." Nationalgeographic.com. National
Geographic Society, 25 Jan. 2005. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
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Silverman, Jacob. "Curiosity." Discovery.com. Discovery Channel, n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.

s.htm>.
Zimmer, Carl. "DNA Double Take." The New York Times. New York Times Company, 16 Sept.
2013. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.

0&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1387385916-GXuCcdU7CZLwWhE85vGNDQ>.

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