Human cells grown in monkey embryos spark ethical debate – BBC News

Monkey embryos containing human cells have been made in a laboratory, a study has confirmed.

The scientists injected human stem cells – that have the ability to develop into many different body tissues – into macaque embryos.

Other so-called mixed-species embryos, or chimeras, have been produced in the past, with human cells implanted into sheep and pig embryos.

The researchers says their work could pave the way in addressing the severe shortage in transplantable organs as well as help understand more about early human development, disease progression and ageing.

Some scientists have, however, raised concerns about the experiment, arguing that while the embryos in this case were destroyed at 20 days, others could try to take the work further.

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