Researchers Create First Genetically Modified Monkeys 134
Several readers tipped news that U.S. scientists have created 'chimeric' monkeys, made with genetic material from as many as six different genomes (abstract). This is significant because it's the first time researchers have used the technique on a primate. From the article:
"Researchers took very early stem cells, called totipotent stem cells, from separate developing embryos and basically glued them together, implanting the mixed embryos into surrogate mother monkeys. The cells — from totally different sources — didn’t fuse, but worked together in harmony, forming fully fledged, normal, healthy animals. ... The key here was the scientists’ use of totipotent cells, so named for their ability to differentiate into the totality of possible cells in an animal. A totipotent cell can give rise to a whole animal. Pluripotent stem cells, the type most frequently used in stem cell research, can differentiate into any cell in the body, but can’t become a whole animal, and can’t make other embryonic tissues like a placenta. Totipotent stem cells are only derived from the very earliest stages of a zygote, mere days after fertilization. In humans, totipotent cells differentiate into pluripotent cells after four days."
Totipotent first post! (Score:2, Funny)
And so begins... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Human-chimp hybrids coming soon? (Score:5, Funny)
Consider first, everything that you've ever done in front of your dog, and then ask if you really want them being able to talk.
Re:And so begins... (Score:5, Funny)
He can talk!
He can talk?!
I can Sing!!!
Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zaius,
Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zaius,
Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zaius,
ohhh, Dr. Zaius.
Finally he has done it! (Score:5, Funny)
Behold! The six assed monkey!
Re:Human-chimp hybrids coming soon? (Score:5, Funny)
Consider first, everything that you've ever done in front of your dog, and then ask if you really want them being able to talk.
That goes two ways. I've seen my dogs do things they wouldn't want to be public knowledge.
Re:Damn you! Damn you all to hell! (Score:2, Funny)
Who cares? I just want to know of any of them have four asses.
Re:Damn you! Damn you all to hell! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Human-chimp hybrids coming soon? (Score:4, Funny)
They are much stronger and faster than humans, so would be incredible soldiers.
I don't see them being worth the investment compared to a predator drone. What good would a chimp do in Iraq? Convince an informant to give up the location of an insurgent by pretending to smoke a cigar in a cute fashion? Throw poop at a IUD until it was deactivated?
Re:Human-chimp hybrids coming soon? (Score:4, Funny)
Truman: Are you planning to make some kind of alien-human hybrid?
Zoidberg: Are you coming onto me?
Truman: Hot crackers, I take exception to that!
Zoidberg: I'm not hearing a "no".