09 November 2023 , 17:59
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Chinese Scientists have completed a monumental breakthrough – by creating a 'chimera' monkey that shines green.
The little infant, which has been compared to 'Frankenstein's Monster', looks remarkable, with its lime-coloured fingers and piercing green eyes. Following countless hours of hard work, the academics involved with the project, announced the 'long-sought- birth' of the male primate.
With a spring in their step, the researchers shared several photographs of the youngster, who was created in an embryo which was injected with other genetically distinct cells from a monkey stem cell line.
The scientists have confirmed that the different tissue types ranged on a scale from 21% to 92%, in order to achieve the furry fella's look. According to the Journal Cell, using stem cells, modified to glow green, which came from two genetically distinct embryos of the same species of monkey, the scientists pulled off something that had previously been failed in primates.
The researchers are thrilled with their results (PA)In Greek mythology, the chimera is a terrifying female fire-breathing monster capable of destroying a village with its formidable powers. It is described as having the face of a lion, the body of a goat and the legs and tail of a dragon.
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Back in 2012, scientists, made headway, creating three rhesus monkeys that came under the chimera umbrella. Alas, because the embryos were designed at the earlier totipotent stage, they could have turned into a number of different things, including a placenta, meaning they couldn't class their mission as a success.
But over a decade later, they've finally cracked the code, with Dr Zhen Liu, of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) over the moon regarding the achievement.
He said: "This research not only has implications for understanding naive pluripotency in other primates, including humans, but it also has relevant practical implications for genetic engineering and species conservation. Specifically, this work could help us to generate more precise monkey models for studying neurological diseases as well as for other biomedicine studies."
The part human life form, which is created by putting the skin of a human foetus into a monkey embryo, is a marvel of medical science. However, it doesn't come without issues, as some question the ethics behind the project.
As per Biomed Central, the main concern stems from whether the animal develops human consciousness and becomes aware that it's being used for research purposes.