Debate rages over animal-human chimeras

New Scientist
Aug. 12, 2006

Should medical researchers be allowed to create human-animal hybrids to investigate disease? No, says an ethics think tank that advises the Scottish Parliament. Yes, says Ian Wilmut of the University of Edinburgh, creator of Dolly the cloned sheep.

In its 8 August report, the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics advocates banning embryos containing human and animal genetic material and cloned embryos created by combining human cells with cow or rabbit oocytes, something Wilmut wants to attempt in order to study motor neurone disease.

"There are lots of questions relating to the status of hybrids," says Calum MacKellar, director of research at the council, adding that there are strong moral objections to creating half-human, half-animal "entities".

Wilmut disagrees, denouncing the report as superficial, ill-informed and unduly pessimistic. "By casting a negative light on a number of important research opportunities, this report may limit medical progress," he says. The outcome could be decided in October, when the UK government is proposing new regulations on animal-human chimeras.