What do you think of this research?

Question

Could it not be catastrophic for mankind to interfere with human DNA by substituting some with animal content? We know all about the Parkinsons/Alzheimers cure possibility but I mean a more far reaching outcome?

Answer 1

if this is about the animal human chimeras then just to clarify the person above, it's not cell membranes they are getting from animals, but eggs. there is more to an egg than just its membrane. if it were only membranes we needed we could get them VERY easily as all human cells have membranes and we are all constantly shedding skin cells which would be a perfect source.

the cytoplasm of the egg will contain mitochondria and these contain DNA. this will be from the animal, but it likely to be VERY similar to human mitochondrial DNA.

humans are just another type of animal after all. in fact, the humble fruit fly shares 60% of its genes with humans.

i don't see how it could be catastrophic, as the chimeras won't be allowed to develop beyond a ball of cells. it's not as if scientists will be creating embryos and getting women to carry the embryos in their wombs and give birth to them and then they will grow up and have children of their own!

at the end of the day, DNA is DNA whether it's from a bacterium, a tree, a frog or a person. it's all made of the same chemicals.

Answer 2

We are animals. There are always risk, but quite honestly this seems like a quite low one compared to aggressive drugs. (Although it depends what animals and what genes) There is a spiritual/moral question that i think is tripping you up. Practically all of the hang-ups that we had in Victorian age are gone and without them we are able to do much more for people.  Medicine shows that it is powerful and if you can cure people they will become less inhibited. When you have Parkinson's i bet you wont be asking the same question. Taking solution to diseases from other animals is also much safer than creating new drugs in that they has been rigorous testing testament in many, many generations of these animals surviving.

Answer 3

I think you understanding of the process is not accurate. The animal part is only the cell membrane. The contents, and the part that will grow (for no more than 14 days - by law) is human.

The only reason that animal cell membranes are being used is because of the difficulty in obtaining, and thus the shortage of, human cells. Scientists would much prefer to use human cell membranes.

They are not at any time interfering with the DNA, they are going to use the primitive early cells, called stem cells, to try and grow specific types of cells to help research.

Answer 4

Science must march forward.  It will continue if advancements can be made.  If not here,  some one else in another country will do it.  Hopefully more good than bad will come from this.