A chimera (named for the
creature of Greek mythology that had the head of a lion, the body of a goat and
the tail of a serpent) is a living organism that has been artificially created,
usually by fusing zygotes (fertilized eggs) with different systems of DNA, that is, genetically dissimilar cells taken
from different creatures. For example, a chimera may be formed by inserting
human stem cells into an animal fetus. The creation of chimeras can serve
several purposes:
- Drug
trials
- Building
models for illnesses
- In the
future – growing organs for transplant (e.g., from sheep-human or
pig-human chimera embryos).
Selected ethical issues:
- Crossing
the (biological/ethical) line between humans and animals.
- “Playing
God” by creating humans.
- The
identity and moral status of chimeric animals (human/animal identity)
- What genetic
mix (percentage of human genes) determines belonging or not belonging to the
human race?
Sources:
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=8905