I am talking hypothetically.
Is it theoretically, thus scientifically, possible, to splice and combine human and animal genomic codes to produce a hybrid?
I am not looking for ethical considerations of the act, I simply want to know if it is possible.
Best answer:
Answer by Ryan
I'm sure it is possible (or will be soon) Because the genetic cells are very close together for animals like Apes and Gorillas. I am interested in this subject also. Good Luck.
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Yeah it is possible, possible to combine DNA of two diffent species and make a hybrid, a scientist even had drawn a image of human and dog hybrid and it was even published in the magazine's and newspaper's he magazine's and newspaper's
ReplyDeleteYes, and no. It is possible, but we have yet to find genetic codes that are compatible between human, and animal. Also, there would be a tough time trying to find a volunteer, unless you apply force. We have already made animal hybrids, crossing two species. We created the Mosquito Eater in a lab. It was created with the sole purpose of killing off mosquito's, as they were growing at a alarming rate.
ReplyDeleteYes.
ReplyDeleteThey've already begun testing so according to the news.
Link to the news:
http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?242087
There is only one genetic code, it is universal across all living organisms. There is no barrier preventing a human's genetic sequences being translated as a functional protein by an animal's ribosome.
ReplyDeleteIt is possible to express the human version of a gene in a knock in mouse or fly. The human version of the gene is expressed as a functional protein in the mouse or other organism. The mice are used for in vivo disease models.
There are mice that express the human protein GM-CSF.
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/01/19/1019682108.short
The human regulatory protein PAX6 organized a flies eye just as it does ours.
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:q7MSv48h8xQJ:wwworm.biology.uh.edu/evodevo/lecture24/pichaud02.pdf+knock+in+fly+express+human+PAX6+eye&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShev3nCpNjvwQ7rHKJqp8vC5vUduGyYCyW2F-2ceLFHa8EjdlSldcgwTR-X3MV5VOW9cypML0TRfgoKkUo2vtu_QfQwVpMNktHM1pcDJ9TY0nygQwtAn_ALHcD4-9omOAN-E_Dd&sig=AHIEtbR56UixSy7wf9RDbxtJMdD7otBZwg
Yes, they are called chimeras and we have created a few of them for experimental purposes. The most successful ones are the ones which are hybridized with chimpanzees due to genetic similarities to humans. Also, animal DNA and Human DNA are combined all the time in small scale laboratory settings for the purpose of producing specific proteins or other biological components. We also are able to construct genomes from scratch using nothing more than oligonucleotides and PCR techniques (I should know, I do this kind of stuff all the time in the lab, though we haven't made artificial genomes for complex eukaryotes, we have synthetically created the genomes of viruses, bacteria, and there is currently a project where they are trying to make yeast (Saccharomyces Cerivisia), which would be the first eukaryotic artificial genome]. The reason, chimeras, especially fully functioning ones, aren't created more frequently is due to the moral and ethical hangups. Especially with regards to the question of what to do if the hybrid acquires sapience or something.
ReplyDeleteThe original conception of a chimera originated in the ancient middle east, but has permeated throughout the ages and all the cultures. The ancient greeks frequently referenced than, and some notable ones are Typhon, Cerberus, Chimera, and Echidna. The far east had Nagi who was a serpent-woman in Hinduism and Buddhism, but the name and the concept greatly took flight in Japan. If you look at japanese media and literature, the name Nagi is in frequent use and still holds the same meaning that it once did. Another great explosion of Chimera interest came with the alchemists of the middle ages, and the late pre-modern era. They sought the philosopher's stone, the Elixir of life, and often fantasized about the creation of chimeras and homunculus. These types of creations were all refered to as Prometheans, since as Prometheus gave the flame of life and civilization to man, man bestows life to these constructs, which is quite arrogant, but that's the alchemists way. There are other theories about the origin of chimeras, and some believe that these hybrids are actually aliens from other worlds, who fail to fully replicate the subject they wish to pose as. Some have also been known to refer to this alien race as the Chipromitherians, and believe that someday these cruel masters will return to achieve their rightful place among the pantheon of divinity, though this largely speculative. No one knows when or if they will return. In fact, on an interesting side note werewolves were thought to be the result of a human eloping with a wolf as experimentation on behalf of the aliens, in order to create the perfect messenger disguise, and the 'full moon' refered to in legends is actually an alien mothership controlling the cloaking [you can see the trend in the foundation story of the birth of romulus and remus in rome, and in the original version of Little Red Riding Hood, which has been lost to the ages]. Though these stories of aliens seem far fetched, it is important to note, that they have been extensively researched by historians who have been given great deals of money, renown, and credit. I mean just a few days ago, you could learn all about it on the History Channel, which judging by the name must be a channel with great expertise on the topic.
It's not hypothetical and it's not theoretical. It's real. It's already been done.
ReplyDeleteMany farm-raised salmon contain the gene for human growth hormone (HGH). That is a human/animal hybrid right there.
Human organs are being grown inside of pigs for the purpose of organ transplants. There's another hybrid.
Many model organisms (chimps, monkeys, mice, etc.) have been modified with human-specific genes for experimentation. If the same's been done to humans, it's being kept secret.
So yeah, not only possible, but already been done.