In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists have successfully produced the first live-born chimeric primate, a monkey with a high proportion of cells originating from genetically distinct donor stem cells. Reported in Cell, this development marks a significant leap in the quest for more accurate disease models and potential treatments, particularly for diseases affecting humans. However, ethical concerns arise as the chimeric monkey had to be euthanized at ten days old due to health complications.
The creation of a chimeric monkey with a substantial contribution of donor stem cells offers a unique opportunity to study human diseases more accurately. Unlike previous chimeric rats and mice, these monkeys share a closer biological similarity to humans, opening new avenues for disease research and treatment development, according to stem-cell biologist Miguel Esteban at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
While the breakthrough showcases the potential of chimeric monkeys, the need for further optimization is evident, as the live-born monkey had health complications leading to euthanasia. Scientists emphasize the importance of refining the approach to ensure a better match between donor embryonic stem cells and recipient embryos. Ethical concerns also arise, prompting a careful examination of the implications of using human-animal chimeras for disease research.
Beyond disease research, the method’s success hints at broader applications, including the possibility of growing human organs in pig or non-human primate tissues. The ability to delete specific genes in animals and introduce human cells could pave the way for organ production. However, developmental cell biologist Shoukhrat Mitalipov underscores the ethical considerations surrounding the use of human-animal chimeras for organ collection, emphasizing the need for careful ethical evaluation.
As scientists navigate the complexities of chimeric technology, balancing scientific progress with ethical responsibility becomes paramount in shaping the future of advanced disease research and potential medical breakthroughs.
Reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03482-9
