Don’t fear pig-human embryos – they could revolutionise our old age | Johnjoe McFadden

The scare stories are misleading - these stem-cell discoveries could help us replace failing organs, and transform the lives of millions of people

One of the most revered monuments of ancient Egypt is the sphinx, a half-human, half-lion chimera that famously exudes a spirit of calm contemplation of human folly. Are scientists' recent attempts to create real live human chimeras as organ donors part of that folly?

In fact chimeric animal-humans are walking, talking or squeaking today. Many people carry heart valve replacements that come from pigs. Pig pancreatic cells have been transplanted into humans in an effort to treat diabetes. Many strains of laboratory mice have been bred that carry human genes and even human cells. Indeed, a strain of mice made with human brain cells appears to be marginally smarter than its non-humanised relative.

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