Scientists in Singapore are advocating new rules that would permit researchers to splice human DNA into animals to further stem cell research. The development of human/animal chimeras would allow research projects that would, for example, splice human cells into the brains of mice in order to test a new generation of therapies for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
The notion of chimeras has raised protests around the world. In the UK, lawmakers are considering a similar approach. But Singapore's Professor Lim Pin, chairman of the Bioethics Advisory Committee, notes that there would be strict limits on the animal combinations. "Even if possible, it would be ethically unacceptable for scientists to create subhuman creatures with potentially human consciousness," Lim said.
- read the report from Monsters and Critics
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