The chimaeras of nature and their promise to grow human organs

Published: 24th Nov, 2023

Context:

In a recent landmark study, scientists reported successfully generating a live chimaera in non-human primates.

Chimaeras in nature:

A genetic chimaera is a single organism composed of cells of more than one distinct genotype (or genetic makeup).
The animal kingdom has several examples of varying degrees of chimerism.
The half-sider budgerigar, a type of common parakeet widely adopted as pets, has different colours on either side of its body due to chimerism.
The anglerfish displays an extreme degree of symbiotic chimerism in which the male fish fuses with and is eventually absorbed into the female fish, mixing their genetic makeups into a single animal.
Marine sponges are known to have up to four distinct genotypes in a single organism.

Background:

At present, more than 3 lakh people are waiting for an organ transplant in India alone; the global number is far higher, with no respite in sight.
There is an alarming disparity in the number of organ donorsand the number of recipients – and animals have played an important part in filling this gap.

About Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) technology:

The successful application of animal insulin and the more recent use of animal heart valves in human surgeries have saved human lives
Researchers have also made attempts to grow full human organs inside the bodies of animals using advancements in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) technology.

Chimaeras in nature:

A genetic chimaera is a single organism composed of cells of more than one distinct genotype (or genetic makeup).
The animal kingdom has several examples of varying degrees of chimerism.
The half-sider budgerigar, a type of common parakeet widely adopted as pets, has different colours on either side of its body due to chimerism.
The anglerfish displays an extreme degree of symbiotic chimerism in which the male fish fuses with and is eventually absorbed into the female fish, mixing their genetic makeups into a single animal.
Marine sponges are known to have up to four distinct genotypes in a single organism.

Significance of Chimeric Research:

New Frontiers:As such, this study opens new doors for scientists to use non-human primates to create chimaeras that could become models for basic and translational biomedical applications in the near future.
Ethical Issues:Just like other advances in science, this study wasn’t without limitations and ethical quandaries – and which we must address before thinking about the human biomedical applications.

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