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Scientists Give Human Organs to Lamb

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the island-of-dr.-moreau dept.

TK Interior writes "Myrtle Beach Online reports the existence of a lamb-human chimera-- a blend of two different species. Not only has a lamb been given a human liver and heart, but mice are sporting human brain cells. At what level is a chimera 'too' human? Where do you draw the line between human and animal? How will this affect evolution?"

3 of 589 comments (clear)

  1. Goat Sheep by CGP314 · · Score: 5, Informative

    In science, an animal is a chimera if the cells throughout the animal are from two different animals. This is accomplished by mixing the zygotes (see the geep). You don't get a chimera through organ transplant.


    -Colin

  2. Re:You don't draw the line... by efatapo · · Score: 4, Informative

    Well, you may have passed your high school biology class (and I stress may) but you certainly haven't followed that through with upper level classes.

    Although humans could technically breed with sheep (and living near Wales, I should know...), the offspring would be sterile...

    Technically, no they couldn't. The sperm-egg recognition factors (proteins that stick out of the egg) have specific receptors on the sperm. Most animals will not recognize the receptor-ligand interaction of other animals. Additionally, the egg secretes molecules that the sperm uses to find the egg and these are also not conserved between species.

    Additionally, I'll let the other posters explain to you the many many differences that separate humans from animals. Sorry bud, but you're way off on this argument. There's a lot more to life than biology when it comes to distinguising animals and humans. Not my field though...biochemistry is.

  3. Re:I don't like it. by double-oh+three · · Score: 4, Informative

    The fuller quote is:
    " 1. Whatever goes on two legs is an enemy.
    2. Whatever goes on four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
    3. No animal shall wear clothes.
    4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
    5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
    6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
    7. All animals are equal. "

    After a few revisions it ends up as; "
    1. "Four legs good, two legs better!"
    2. No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets.
    3. No animal shall drink alcohol to excess.
    4. No animal shall kill any other animal without cause.
    5. All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

    --
    "For years, I struggled with reality... but I'm happy to say I finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd