this image is taken from the NPR article online.

This is INSANE. I was listening to this story on my way home from work on NPR. I get the benefits if they were to succeed and could grow human organs within animals in hopes they could be used for transplantation, but did you hear what I JUST said?? Grow human organs within animals? Currently, they are starting off with pig embryos and have injected like more than 20 of them with human stem cells. They intend to implant those embryos INTO A PIG'S UTERUS. HUMAN CELLS IMPLANTED INTO A PIG'S UTERUS. And the trouble is, they have no idea what the stem cells will grow. They are hoping for specific human organs (the scientist Pablo Ross is envisioning a farm full of animals housing kidneys and pancreases, etc. that can be transplanted into humans). I think those were close to the words he used in the interview on NPR earlier today.

It sounds so creepy. The prospect of mixing humans with animals, combining human DNA and animal DNA. Hybrid human and animal embryos aka "chimeras". Crossing species. I ain't looking for no real-life George Orwell Animal Farm here, people! There's no way they can tell if the human stem cells will grow into the desired human organ, such as the pancreas. Some fear the embryos could breed pigs with parts of human brains, who might even have a conscience, and they cannot predict how the pigs will act. And THAT is a scary, no make that, horrifying thought.

Tread lightly, Pablo Ross and those scientists who stand with you, curiosity killed the cat. I know you mean well but...I think you're taking it one step too far. We really don't need walking, talking, thinking-for-themselves pigs in this world. (I know, I exaggerate. But really. There's gotta be limits somewhere.) In the name of science. Hmm. How far will you go?

link to the NPR article is here.