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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

Breakthrough as scientists grow sheep embryos containing human cells [theguardian.com]

Growing human organs inside other animals has taken another step away from science-fiction, with researchers announcing they have grown sheep embryos containing human cells.

Scientists say growing human organs inside animals could not only increase supply, but also offer the possibility of genetically tailoring the organs to be compatible with the immune system of the patient receiving them, by using the patient's own cells in the procedure, removing the possibility of rejection. [...] "Even today the best matched organs, except if they come from identical twins, don't last very long because with time the immune system continuously is attacking them," said Dr Pablo Ross from the University of California, Davis, who is part of the team working towards growing human organs in other species.

[...] Ross and colleagues have recently reported a major breakthrough [theguardian.com] for our own species, revealing they were able to introduce human stem cells into early pig embryos, producing embryos for which about one in every 100,000 cells were human. These chimeras – a term adopted from Greek mythology – were only allowed to develop for 28 days.

Now, at this week's meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Austin, Texas, the team have announced that they have managed a similar feat with sheep embryos, achieving an even higher ratio of human to animal cells. "About one in 10,000 cells in these sheep embryos are human," said Ross.

Japan is expected to lift a ban [japantimes.co.jp] on growing human organs inside of animals.

Here's another article about pig-to-human organ transplants [time.com].

Also at The Telegraph [telegraph.co.uk].

Related: Surgeons Smash Records With Pig-to-Primate Organ Transplants [soylentnews.org]
Human-Animal Chimeras are Gestating on U.S. Research Farms [soylentnews.org]
Pig Hearts Survive in Baboons for More than Two Years [soylentnews.org]
NIH Plans To Lift Ban On Research Funds For Human-Animal Chimera Embryos [soylentnews.org]
Human-Pig 'Chimera Embryos' Detailed [soylentnews.org]
Rat-Mouse Chimeras Offer Hope for Diabetics [soylentnews.org]
eGenesis Bio Removes PERV From Pigs Using CRISPR [soylentnews.org]

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