Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter and dive into the fascinating world of medical research and species conservation. Scientists in China have achieved a groundbreaking milestone by creating the world’s first live birth of a primate chimera created with stem cells. The monkey, a cynomolgus monkey, was infused with two sets of DNA, and had a substantial contribution of stem cells for a varying but relatively high ratio of cells throughout its body. This pioneering research, detailed in a study published in Cell, could lead to valuable modeling of neurodegenerative diseases and conservation of endangered species.
The team used stem cells from a monkey embryo, making them pluripotent, giving them the ability to create all the different cell types needed to develop a live animal. The cells were then injected into genetically distinct monkey embryos, resulting in 12 pregnancies and six live births, one of which lived for 10 days before being euthanized. While hailed as an important study, the fact that the chimeras generated are not viable and that the stem cells were not inheritable by offspring has raised some criticisms, highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding the intersection of science and animal welfare.
Ultimately, the research displayed the potential for easier and better creation of mutant monkeys, emphasizing the importance of work with nonhuman primates, despite the challenges. The future looks promising for medical advancements and species conservation as this study opens new possibilities in the interconnected world of science and wildlife.
