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Researchers from China have successfully created a monkey chimera, a novel experimental approach that could revolutionize medical research and help preserve endangered species.
The team combined stem cells from a cynomolgus monkey, a primate typically used in biomedical research, with an embryo of the same species bearing distinct genetic traits. This groundbreaking procedure led to the world’s first live birth of a primate chimera generated from stem cells.
The study, which was detailed in the scientific journal Cell, revealed that the monkey was “substantially chimeric,” meaning that a considerable percentage of its cells originated from the stem cells and were distributed throughout its body. This finding suggests the potential value of chimeric monkeys in modeling neurodegenerative diseases and aiding species conservation.
Historically, chimeric mice have been used extensively in biomedical research due to their ability to help scientists understand biological processes and diseases. However, as the Chinese researchers noted, mice have limitations in modeling human diseases due to their physiological differences from humans. Therefore, the creation of monkey chimeras represents a significant leap forward in biomedical research.
While the creation of human-monkey chimeras has posed ethical dilemmas, researchers hold the hope that these chimeric entities could potentially address the rising demand for organ transplants in the future. However, the researchers emphasize the importance of ethical considerations when conducting such experiments.
The creation of chimeric monkeys involved cultivating stem cells removed from monkey embryos and injecting them into genetically distinct embryos of the same species. The resulting pregnancies led to six live births, with one monkey demonstrating a notable contribution of stem cells to its tissues, particularly in brain tissue.
Despite these groundbreaking findings, some scientists suggest that the chimeras created are not viable enough to serve as a genetic model for medical research. Nevertheless, the study remains a significant advancement in the field of biomedicine and has the potential to reshape future research endeavors.
While the use of nonhuman primates in research raises ethical concerns, the report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine suggests that research involving monkeys has been critical to significant medical advances. To stay informed about important news and breakthroughs, sign up to receive CNN news and newsletters at CNN.com.
