Sheepman created: 15% human 85% sheep

[Nadril]

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/liv ... _a_source=

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scientists have created the world's first human-sheep chimera - which has the body of a sheep and half-human organs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sheep have 15 per cent human cells and 85 per cent animal cells - and their evolution brings the prospect of animal organs being transplanted into humans one step closer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professor Esmail Zanjani, of the University of Nevada, has spent seven years and ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã5million perfecting the technique, which involves injecting adult human cells into a sheep's foetus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He has already created a sheep liver which has a large proportion of human cells and eventually hopes to precisely match a sheep to a transplant patient, using their own stem cells to create their own flock of sheep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The process would involve extracting stem cells from the donor's bone marrow and injecting them into the peritoneum of a sheep's foetus. When the lamb is born, two months later, it would have a liver, heart, lungs and brain that are partly human and available for transplant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We would take a couple of ounces of bone marrow cells from the patient,' said Prof Zanjani, whose work is highlighted in a Channel 4 programme tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We would isolate the stem cells from them, inject them into the peritoneum of these animals and then these cells would get distributed throughout the metabolic system into the circulatory system of all the organs in the body. The two ounces of stem cell or bone marrow cell we get would provide enough stem cells to do about ten foetuses. So you don't just have one organ for transplant purposes, you have many available in case the first one fails."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At present 7,168 patients are waiting for an organ transplant in Britain alone, and two thirds of them are expected to die before an organ becomes available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scientists at King's College, London, and the North East Stem Cell Institute in Newcastle have now applied to the HFEA, the Government's fertility watchdog, for permission to start work on the chimeras.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the development is likely to revive criticisms about scientists playing God, with the possibility of silent viruses, which are harmless in animals, being introduced into the human race.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Patrick Dixon, an international lecturer on biological trends, warned: "Many silent viruses could create a biological nightmare in humans. Mutant animal viruses are a real threat, as we have seen with HIV."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Animal rights activists fear that if the cells get mixed together, they could end up with cellular fusion, creating a hybrid which would have the features and characteristics of both man and sheep. But Prof Zanjani said: "Transplanting the cells into foetal sheep at this early stage does not result in fusion at all."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, what are all of your opinions on this? Aparrently it is being done so we can 'farm' organs so to speak for people who need transplant. It seems like a great idea if it will work out.

[dread_rasta]

It's quite hard to take a stance here. It's great for the people in need of those transplants but at the same time it seems like we once again defy the rules that were set to us. Well, hopefully this one won't backfire..

[Bauke]

It's good... but too bad a living creature has to be killed for it. I hope they can alter the process of development in a way so that a creature is born without really living, like... without brains or something. It's possible in theory. That way we could farm organs without harming living beings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Animal rights activists fear that if the cells get mixed together, they could end up with cellular fusion, creating a hybrid which would have the features and characteristics of both man and sheep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a load of crap. They deliberately make up nonsense like this because it's based on no facts at all.

 

 

 

Blah, fundamentalists :wall:

[Tigra00]

Riiiiight...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posting before the religious morality group comes in and complains about...Everything.

[Nadril]

Riiiiight...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posting before the religious morality group comes in and complains about...Everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you read the comments on the news article?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I serriously LOL'd at some of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@Bauke: it is no different than slaughtering them for meat.

[Duke_Freedom]

You all better watch out - the sheep will revolt and take over the world soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a more serious note, I think I'm starting to become more and more against all this genetic manipulation and stuff. I just think that humanity is not knowing what road they are taking and where it will eventually lead us and I believe it may have considerable negative consequences on the long-term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That said, I'm completely convinced that they'll only go further and further with things like this anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@Bauke: it is no different than slaughtering them for meat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the sense that it's both for the reason of survival, no it's not different. But do keep in mind that this is about growing sheep with human organics in them to provide to people who need those organics. If you think about it any longer than 3 seconds you'll conclude that it's just plain weird. Sorry, but the easiness with which you compare it to "slaughtering them for meat" already worries me.

[Barihawk]

You all better watch out - the sheep will revolt and take over the world soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a more serious note, I think I'm starting to become more and more against all this genetic manipulation and stuff. I just think that humanity is not knowing what road they are taking and where it will eventually lead us and I believe it may have considerable negative consequences on the long-term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That said, I'm completely convinced that they'll only go further and further with things like this anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I completely agree. I have always been against Eugenics.

 

 

 

Not just for religious reasons (although they are there). But this will lead to a class divide among other things. And yes, humans have a BAD way of taking power too far. Mary Shelley, anyone?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mankind is not ready, or deserving of Eugenics. Maybe one day when we don't have money and everything is equal...oh wait, that's never going to happen.

[____]

I was under the impression that no country in the world allowed this kind of genertic research :-?

 

 

 

Anyhow - they're going to need a lot more tan 15% for the body to not reject the organ. As it is many transplants already get rejected when they've got 100% human cells.

[angryjoe]

I think that anything that can save human life is a good thig.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personally i couldnt give two sh*ts about sheep because humans are more important

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just hope that it will work well and stuff.

[Bauke]

 

Riiiiight...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posting before the religious morality group comes in and complains about...Everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you read the comments on the news article?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I serriously LOL'd at some of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@Bauke: it is no different than slaughtering them for meat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know, and I'm not at all against it, but it would be nice if it was possible. As we humans can greatly influence animal development (like this article proves) there should be a way to *just* get the meat, and no living animal. I know in theory it is possible... maybe something for the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But I think this is a great way to receive donor organs, it can save lives, so I applaud this.

[Faux]

Riiiiight...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posting before the religious morality group comes in and complains about...Everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I forgot.. only religious people can have morale

[Barihawk]

Not to mention, it's pretty cruel to the sheep. They are going to be [developmentally delayed]ed as hell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the human body will reject organs that are over 85% compatible.

[sheepdean]

my screen name could have a whole new meaing....

[pompey_spud]

I think that anything that can save human life is a good thig.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personally i couldnt give two sh*ts about sheep because humans are more important

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just hope that it will work well and stuff.

 

 

 

You really are a back of sunshine aren't you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I missed the program, did anyone else see it? How did the two presenters react to the sheep?

[Tigra00]

 

Riiiiight...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posting before the religious morality group comes in and complains about...Everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I forgot.. only religious people can have morale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll just forget you said that.

[Barihawk]

 

 

Riiiiight...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posting before the religious morality group comes in and complains about...Everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I forgot.. only religious people can have morale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll just forget you said that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What? The morality transcends only religion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The thing is a Chimera. It's genetic bonds are going to be frickle. It will be in pain it's entire life. That defies multiple laws regarding the treatment of laboratory animals, much less those used in the medical or agricultural field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are condemning this entire litter, and subsequent test subjects to pain we can't even realize just to "better science?" For one thing, it will be decades before this little "project" has even the remote potential of actually providing viable organ transplants. Hell, at 15% the body would reject the organ before it's even installed properly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So we are pretty much playing God like Dr. Frankenstein. More concerned about our own fame and well-being than the creatures we impose our will upon. That frame of mind will take us to a mistake like Dr. Frankenstein.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's like cloning (I won't even go into the religious problems I have with it). Creating a clone for organ transplant. A fully developed human without the brain? Can we honestly wink and look the other way? And if we do give them brains, will we be treating our clones as a human subspecies? Like cattle?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am just totally against cloning and genetic manipulation at this stage in human evolution. We don't deserve the responsibility, and there is no way we can control these powers.

[Tigra00]

It's no worse than slaughtering animals for food. Instead, they'd be killed for organs when needed or whatever. They'd probably actually live longer, lol. Food is more needed than organs, usually...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But, uhhh...I was never suggesting that only religious people have morals or whatever. I was merely saying that the only people who [bleep] about stuff like this are religious people who think it's "playing God". Everyone else CAN'T complain because it's no different than killin' 'em for food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What else is playing God to you? Modern medicine in it's entirity? Sorry, I'll take my life over the life of a sheep. Afterall, to quote the Bible...We are all better than animals. We can use them as we please.

[StrOwez]

It's no worse than slaughtering animals for food. Instead, they'd be killed for organs when needed or whatever. They'd probably actually live longer, lol. Food is more needed than organs, usually...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But, uhhh...I was never suggesting that only religious people have morals or whatever. I was merely saying that the only people who [bleep] about stuff like this are religious people who think it's "playing God". Everyone else CAN'T complain because it's no different than killin' 'em for food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What else is playing God to you? Modern medicine in it's entirity? Sorry, I'll take my life over the life of a sheep. Afterall, to quote the Bible...We are all better than animals. We can use them as we please.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is not the religious people that usually complain about treatments of animals but the animal rights activists.

[Tigra00]

 

It's no worse than slaughtering animals for food. Instead, they'd be killed for organs when needed or whatever. They'd probably actually live longer, lol. Food is more needed than organs, usually...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But, uhhh...I was never suggesting that only religious people have morals or whatever. I was merely saying that the only people who [bleep] about stuff like this are religious people who think it's "playing God". Everyone else CAN'T complain because it's no different than killin' 'em for food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What else is playing God to you? Modern medicine in it's entirity? Sorry, I'll take my life over the life of a sheep. Afterall, to quote the Bible...We are all better than animals. We can use them as we please.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is not the religious people that usually complain about treatments of animals but the animal rights activists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No, I mean the whole "animal-human" science...stuff.

[StrOwez]

 

 

It's no worse than slaughtering animals for food. Instead, they'd be killed for organs when needed or whatever. They'd probably actually live longer, lol. Food is more needed than organs, usually...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But, uhhh...I was never suggesting that only religious people have morals or whatever. I was merely saying that the only people who [bleep] about stuff like this are religious people who think it's "playing God". Everyone else CAN'T complain because it's no different than killin' 'em for food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What else is playing God to you? Modern medicine in it's entirity? Sorry, I'll take my life over the life of a sheep. Afterall, to quote the Bible...We are all better than animals. We can use them as we please.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is not the religious people that usually complain about treatments of animals but the animal rights activists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No, I mean the whole "animal-human" science...stuff.

I see your point, as a religious minded person in my opinion there is nothing wrong with growing human organs in animals, as I have watched the programme 'Animal Farm' the other day.

 

 

 

However I would prefer to know that the animal that is growing those organs does not suffer a lot of discomfort/pain, and has decent life standards.

[Tigra00]

I agree. Animals should be killed humanely and should live in good conditions...Often, it's not that way.

[Rebdragon]

So we are pretty much playing God like Dr. Frankenstein. More concerned about our own fame and well-being than the creatures we impose our will upon. That frame of mind will take us to a mistake like Dr. Frankenstein.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And yet, the "demon" in Frankenstein was an intelligient, empathetic, feeling being, who was in fact more "human" than his creator. I see your point I suppose, but it's walking on thin ice comparing the monster to a stupid sheep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But yes, genetics could be starting to cross some lines >_<.

[dutchdreams]

Eureka ! Man has found the fountain of youth. Your heart deteriorating ? Buy yourself a new one. Boozed up your liver ? No worries, we'll grow you a new one. Smoked your lungs away ? Don't worry, get two for the price of one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go along this path and survival of the fittest might become survival of the richest.

[Rebdragon]

Eureka ! Man has found the fountain of youth. Your heart deteriorating ? Buy yourself a new one. Boozed up your liver ? No worries, we'll grow you a new one. Smoked your lungs away ? Don't worry, get two for the price of one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go along this path and survival of the fittest might become survival of the richest.

 

 

 

It already is. But this is going to take it to whole new levels o_O.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wonder which rich guy's going to be the first to attempt for immorality using other organs.

[Adam007]

 

You all better watch out - the sheep will revolt and take over the world soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a more serious note, I think I'm starting to become more and more against all this genetic manipulation and stuff. I just think that humanity is not knowing what road they are taking and where it will eventually lead us and I believe it may have considerable negative consequences on the long-term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That said, I'm completely convinced that they'll only go further and further with things like this anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I completely agree. I have always been against Eugenics.

 

 

 

Not just for religious reasons (although they are there). But this will lead to a class divide among other things. And yes, humans have a BAD way of taking power too far. Mary Shelley, anyone?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mankind is not ready, or deserving of Eugenics. Maybe one day when we don't have money and everything is equal...oh wait, that's never going to happen.

 

 

 

I'm against genetically engineering humans aesthetically, and agree there needs to be a line drawn, but the line doesn't have to be drawn anywhere near here. We're talking about saving lives here. I know it sounds like a generic rebuttal but if we have the technology to save hundreds of lives of people who need organs but are on waiting lists and would otherwise die, why should we halt this progress? It's stupid to just say that you don't like this direction so we should stop altogether. Should we apply that to all technologies, not just genetic engineering? We're building robots now, but robots are capable of turning on us and killing us! That actually used to be a widespread fear, just like the new trend is to be irrationally fearful of genetic engineering. We're a long ways from all the hypothetical things you guys are worrying about, and in no way should those fears halt the progress we're currently on the brink of making.