Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Paging Dr. Mengele IV

Animal-human hybrid embryos could be created in British laboratories within months after the fertility regulator gave the controversial research its blessing.

Two teams of scientists are poised to start making cow-human hybrids for research into incurable diseases - with at least one project starting by the end of the year.


A shortage of human eggs has led scientists to apply for permission to make hybrid embryos from human skin cells and animal eggs, such as cow eggs, which are plentiful in slaughterhouses.

The process involves removing the genetic material from the animal egg and replacing it with human DNA.

After being kick-started by an electric current, the egg would develop into an embryo from which stem cells - the body's master cells - can be harvested.


A bit too Dr. Frankenstein for my taste.

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