Human-Animal Hybrids

Worried about the possibility of nuclear warfare or global warming or terrorist attacks? Sorry to ruin your day,
but something even worse may be on the horizon—scientists are tinkering with the possibility of creating human-
animal hybrids.

According to a commentary by Jeremy Rifkin in the Los Angeles Times, scientists have already injected human
brain cells into mice fetuses, making the rodents about 1% human. Follow-up experiments could produce mice
whose brains are made up of 100% human cells.

This process of creating hybrids out of different species is called chimeric experimentation after the monster of
Greek mythology that was part lion, part goat, and part serpent.

Years ago the first chimeric experiment occurred in Scotland where scientists fused sheep and goat embryos to
create a geep, a creature with the head of a goat and body of a sheep.

Now, scientists want to cross animals and humans to create hybrids of every kind.

Besides the aforementioned mouse experiment, scientists have already injected pigs with human blood and
placed livers and hearts that are mostly human into sheep.

These experiments, say the researchers, will advance medical research. Humanized animals will make better
“guinea pigs.”

Some scientists are now talking about creating a human-chimpanzee chimera or a humanzee. It would be the
ideal laboratory research animal, they say, because chimpanzees are so closely related to humans.

Rifkin raises important questions about a half-human, half- animal creature. Would it enjoy human rights and
protection under the law? Would society allow it? Could such creatures be forced to do menial or dangerous
jobs humans would want to avoid? Could they mate with humans?

For Christians, the question is: would God permit it? He already seems to be closing the door to the possibility of
intelligent life in space. Similarly, it is doubtful that He would allow the creation of humanlike creatures that would
leave us wondering if they might have souls or not.

God is in charge! Maybe He will end the world before such experimentation goes too far. LSI