A Stanford University ethics committee has approved a proposal by stem cell expert Irving Weissman to create a mouse whose brain cells are 100% human. Using cells from aborted human foetuses, Dr Weissman has applied to create human-mouse hybrids for his research on diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Researchers are already producing mice with brains that are about 1% human.
The head of the ethics committee, Professor Henry Greely, agreed that the project sounds "a little creepy", but insists that Stanford is not creating another Stuart Little, Hollywood 's talking mouse. "If the mouse shows human-like behaviours, like improved memory or problem-solving, it's time to stop." Professor Weissman says that it is impossible to predict whether the hybrids will show human-like behaviour until they are born. However, he says that he will wait for the publication of a government report later this month on the creation of "chimeras", or mixed-species animals, which will propose voluntary ethical guidelines. ~ London Telegraph, Mar 6 et Bioedge
