Chimaeras
The Guardian reports that researchers have created a transgenic mouse that carries an entire human chromosome - chromosome 21 {Original article in Science magazine here - subscription required though}. Trisomy, or three copies, of chromosome 21 causes Down's Syndrome. As a model to study Down's Syndrome, this mouse model is going to be invaluable, it definitely has the potential to save (human) lives.
Yet, this is a mouse with an entire human chromosome, this whole chimaera thing makes me a little queasy.. How may chromosomes till the mouse becomes more human than mouse? I really think with his one-eyed obsession with stem cells and cloning that Bush has diverted attention from these serious ethical issues, someone needs to sit down and come up with a comprehensive bio-ethics policy - soon..
Yet, this is a mouse with an entire human chromosome, this whole chimaera thing makes me a little queasy.. How may chromosomes till the mouse becomes more human than mouse? I really think with his one-eyed obsession with stem cells and cloning that Bush has diverted attention from these serious ethical issues, someone needs to sit down and come up with a comprehensive bio-ethics policy - soon..