Human-animal chimeras in biomedical research.
Chimeras are individuals with tissues derived from more than one zygote. Interspecific chimeras have tissues derived from different species. The biological consequences of human-animal chimeras have become an issue of ethical debate. Ironically, human-animal chimeras with human blood, neurons, germ cells, and other tissues have been generated for decades. This has facilitated human biological studies and therapeutic strategies for disease.
Behringer
Richard R
RR
Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. rrb@mdanderson.org
D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research; D002678:Chimera; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000637:transplantation; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous