In an article on stem cell research in a Scientific American supplement to the Financial Times there is mention of the possible danger of chimeras. I thought these were mythological beings but it actually applies to any lifeform that mixes elements of more than one species.
These already exist in basic form. It is an outgrowth of stem cell research and uses a similar process. Chinese scientists at the Shanghai Second Medical University in 2003 successfully fused human cells with rabbit eggs. In Minnesota last year researchers at the Mayo Clinic created pigs with human blood flowing through their bodies. And at Stanford University in California an experiment might be done later this year to create mice with human brains.
There are now mice with human immune systems (!) and other animals with small percentages of human cells floating around in them. These were created to allow research on human immune systems, for example, that would not be allowed on humans. Seems admirable.
However, the article mentioned that at some point a line will get crossed and ethical and moral questions will be raised. Is it an animal or is it human? How much of the animal need be composed of human cells before we consider if significantly human, with the accompanying human rights? Yikes! Probably no one would be concerned if a pig had a human liver, for example, but if it had a human heart? A brain? When is it neither fish nor fowl? (None of the articles implied mythological creatures being imminent — a sphynx, centaurs, mermaids… but why not?)
There was however mention of the danger of stem cells in an animal migrating to the ovary of the animal, and then a human child could possibly grow in the belly of a beast. This apparently could happen. Science fiction for sure. As we know, life will find a way, despite the claims of science, so this kind of “accident” seems inevitable. Romulus and Remus for real. And not just raised by wolves, but with one as a mother. What big teeth you have!
HG Wells — From The Island Of Doctor Moreau:
Each preserved the quality of its particular species: the human mark distorted but did not hide the leopard, the ox, or the sow, or other animal or animals, from which the creature had been moulded.
From The Island of Lost Souls (The first film adaptation of his story):
Dr. Moreau: What is the law?
Sayer of the Law: Not to eat meat, that is the law. Are we not men?
Beasts (in unison): Are we not men?
Dr. Moreau: What is the law?
Sayer of the Law: Not to go on all fours, that is the law. Are we not men?
Beasts (in unison): Are we not men?
Dr. Moreau: What is the law?
Sayer of the Law: Not to spill blood, that is the law. Are we not men?
Beasts (in unison): Are we not men?
One might think these things have existed previously, as they are seen on Notre Dame and Dom Chimera in the Ukraine most famously. So mankind produces these monsters from time to time. At least in their collective imagination. But now we can make them for real.
