Mixed messages: is research into human-monkey embryos ethical?

Biologists recently created a chimera with both human and monkey cells. But not all scientists are happy to blur species boundariesWhen King Minos of Crete was given a magnificent bull by the sea god Poseidon for a sacrifice, he could not bring himself to kill it. In anger, Poseidon enchanted Minos ’s wife Pasiphaë to be filled with lust for the creature. The result of their trans-species mating was the bull-headed monster the Minotaur.Hybrids of humans and animals throng within myth and legend: centaurs, mermaids, goat-footed Pan. We ’re both fascinated and uneasy about the boundary that separates us from other animals – and whether it is leaky.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Stem cells Biology Gene editing Genetics Medical research Science Animals Source Type: news