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First Human-Pig 'Chimera' Created in Milestone Study (theguardian.com)

Posted by msmash on from the breakthrough dept.

Scientists have created a human-pig hybrid in a milestone study that raises the prospect of being able to grow human organs inside animals for use in transplants. From a report: It marks the first time that embryos combining two large, distantly-related species have been produced. The creation of this so-called chimera -- named after the cross-species beast of Greek mythology -- has been hailed as a significant first step towards generating human hearts, livers and kidneys from scratch. Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, who led the work on the part-pig, part-human embryos at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, said: "The ultimate goal is to grow functional and transplantable tissue or organs, but we are far away from that. This is an important first step." The study has reignited ethical concerns that have threatened to overshadow the field's clinical promise. The work inevitably raises the spectre of intelligent animals with humanised brains and also the potential for bizarre hybrid creatures to be accidentally released into the wild. The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) placed a moratorium on funding for the controversial experiments last year while these risks were considered.

9 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. dare I say... by Lead+Butthead · · Score: 5, Funny

    man-bear-pig?

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    ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI!?
    1. Re: dare I say... by ArmoredDragon · · Score: 4, Funny

      You mean two halves of the way there.

    2. Re:dare I say... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      Now we only need to convert it to Islam and the whole cult will implode on it self. LOL.

  2. Look no further by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    than the White House.

  3. Re:Two references already to Man-Bear-Pig by Overzeetop · · Score: 3, Funny

    Slashdot is just full of uncultured swine. ;-)

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    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  4. Don't make the obvious mean joke by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Show respect for the office.

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    You are welcome on my lawn.
  5. And the chimera's first word was by FFOMelchior · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ed... ward....

  6. facilities by siamesevodka · · Score: 3, Funny

    The facilities to carry out this work was provided by a Dr. Moreau...........

  7. Re:forget human-pig.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    You mean like Peter Porker, the Amazing Spider-Ham?