Scientists have grown embryos containing a combination of pig and human stem cells, possibly leading to growing transplantable organs.
Research remains at an early stage, but this is the first critical step. The ultimate aim is the growth of functional and transplantable tissues or organs.
Scientists have implanted adult human stem cells. These are called intermediate induced pluripotent stem cells. These have been combined with pig embryos and permitted to grow for four weeks.
The embryos a human animal mixture known as chimera after the mythical Greek species was terminated before it could be born.
Researchers found that human cells began to form into muscle tissue in pg embryos.
Notion of creating human animal mixtures has raised ethical questions. It could lead to the creation of animals with human qualities and intelligence.
Work will lead to understanding the evolution, development and disease and lead to remedy for organ shortages.
