How do you feel about medical research using animal embryos containing human stem cells? Currently, guidelines from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) prohibit introducing human stem cells into nonhuman primate pre-embryo cells.
On Thursday, NIH proposed changing the policy to allow federal research money to be used to make animal embryos that are partly human. Scientists says the resulting specimens, called chimeras could be used to research methods of preventing and treating illness and for creating human organs for transplant.
The NIH is requesting public comment on the proposal, which will officially be published Friday, August 5 in the Federal Register.