A new report on the ethics of crossing species boundaries by introducing human cells into animals contains
The report was developed by an interdisciplinary team of scientists. The principal investigators are Josephine Johnston and Karen Maschke of the Hastings Centre, and Insoo Hyun, Director of theCenter for Life Sciences at the Boston Museum.
Advances in stem cell science andgene editing allows scientists to use them for animal experiments, creating chimeras and other organisms that contain a mixture of human and non-human cells.
It is believed that such research willhuge benefit. For example, scientists will be able to create improved models of human disease, low-cost sources of eggs and embryos for research, and sources of tissues and organs for transplantation.
To clarify them, experts conducted a study and compiled a new report.
Main theses:
Animal welfare is important in such research.
“Chimer research becomes more dangerous when human cells are injected into the brain and central nervous system and develop there. Biologists must take this into account.
"As part of such experiments, special attention should be paid to communication with the public in order to avoid misinformation.There is also a need to improve communication between the various committees that are involved in overseeing chimera research.All this on a national scale.
Scientists, journalists, bioethicists, and other experts who writeabout chimera research, should use precise and accessible language that clarifies For example, the term "chimera," which in Greek mythology refers to fire-breathing monsters, and "humanization" are examples of ethically loaded or overly broad formulations that the term "chimera" refers to. Recall that from a biological point of view, a chimera is an organism that consists offrom genetically heterogeneous cells.
The study is published in the journal Hastings Center Report.
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