2023-11-10 16:49:27
Breakthrough in Biomedical Research: Duality of DNA in Monkeys
Researchers from China have successfully produced a chimeric monkey that carries two distinct sets of DNA. This significant scientific feat has potential implications for advancements in medical research and the preservation of species facing extinction.
Get a Free Speed Boost on Your Internet Connection: The One Surprising Trick Virgin Media Users Need to Try NowThe experiment resulted in a monkey that lived for a mere 10 days before it was humanely put to sleep. The primate was a product of merging stem cells from one type of cynomolgus monkey with the embryo of another, both from the same species. This marks the very first instance of a primate chimera brought to life through the application of stem cell technology.
The intricacies of this research were outlined in a recent publication within the esteemed scientific journal Cell, highlighting the significant level of chimerism – the monkey exhibited a relatively high ratio of cells developed from the stem cells throughout its entire body.
Is your Wi-Fi speed being murdered? The common mistake all BT broadband users must check todayPotential Impact on Species Conservation
"The generated monkey chimeras hold tremendous potential for conservation efforts, especially if successful between two different nonhuman primate species, including one that is endangered," one of the scientists explained. This could pave the way for breeding and potentially saving endangered species through advanced genetics.
Chimeras are not novel to science; they've been a part of research since the 1960s with chimeric mice contributing vastly to biomedical studies. Chimeric lab mice have enabled the exploration of cellphone interactions, particularly useful for understanding various biological mechanisms and diseases. However, the limitations of mouse-model research have led scientists to consider primate models as another research avenue.
A Disturbing Bug in a Popular Android App Has Led Google to Take Drastic Action: Check Your Phone Now!The Controversy Surrounding Human-Animal Chimeras
Despite their usefulness, human-animal chimeras spark debate due to their ethical implications. There have been instances of mice embryos incorporating human cells, and recently, researchers grew human-monkey chimeric embryos. The aspiration behind these experiments is to eventually meet the growing need for organ transplants.
The scientists clarified that attempting to develop a monkey-human chimera beyond early embryonic stages would be crossing an ethical boundary.
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In their study, nine stem cell lines were cultured using cells extracted from 7-day-old monkey embryos, which were converted into pluripotent cells capable of developing into various cell types. These cells were then injected into distinct, slightly older embryos and distinguished with green fluorescent protein to track which tissues originated from the stem cells.
Embryo implantation into female monkeys led to multiple pregnancies and six live births. Out of these, the born monkey and one miscarried fetus were significantly chimeric. Despite this, one expert in molecular biology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Jun Wu, stressed that the chimeras produced were not viable and the inheritability of the stem cells remains unproven—a critical aspect for creating disease models in monkeys.
Discover the Samsung S23 Ultra EE Deals with Phones LTD: Don't Miss the Chance to Receive a Complimentary Galaxy Watch5!The proportion of stem cells present in the tissues ranged considerably, with brain tissue showing particularly high levels. Jacob Hanna, from the Weizmann Institute of Science, praised the study for its potential to simplify the production of mutant monkeys, akin to decades-long practices with mice.
Ethical Considerations
The ethical considerations of using monkeys in scientific research are contentious due to the potential for animal suffering. The researchers assured that their procedures adhered to Chinese laws and international guidelines regarding the use of nonhuman primates in research.
Penny Hawkins from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals expressed deep concern for the welfare of sentient animals subjected to such experiments. She noted the high number of failed pregnancies during the experiment and the euthanasia of the only monkey with the desired genetic makeup due to health complications.
Data from the United States indicates that nonhuman primate research only compounds a fraction of all scientific research, yet it's been pivotal in critical medical breakthroughs, including COVID-19 vaccines. Nonetheless, the scarcity of nonhuman primates for research purposes has been seen to hinder essential public health and national security investigations.
If you would like to know other articles similar to Breakthrough in Genetics: Scientists Engineer First Chimeric Monkey with Dual DNA Strands updated this year 2024 you can visit the category Breaking Tech News.
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