In certain proof-of-concept trials, he says, “normal mouse cells were transplanted into that rat embryo after they essentially cut out a gene that would normally lead to making a pancreas in a rat.”
A half-mouse, half-rat hybrid is produced by completely replacing the resulting organism’s pancreas with one from a different species.
“This is a way to potentially make large portions, if not an entire organ, from another species,” adds Professor Saha.
The possibility that these methods could be applied to blend human and animal traits is perhaps a more concerning one.
Research in this field is ongoing, despite Professor Saha’s assertion that scientists have not yet demonstrated that methods that are effective for mice and rats will also be effective for people or primates.
