Of course, this result is dependent on the methods of measurement and the criteria used for cognitive improvement, but it is worth discussing in relation to the ISSCR guidelines, which are presented and discussed by Insoo Hyun elsewhere in this issue (Hyun, 2015). In particular, this research has shed light on the relative importance of niche and environment versus the origin of the transplanted cells – which defines the final phenotype? This case is also interesting in that the research indicated a cognitive improvement in the transplanted mice. Their main reason is that “the need for teratoma assays with hESCs is compelling” and that “we believe that the risk of inadvertently creating a rodent chimera with higher, human brain function is negligible.” However, this latter point needs to be discussed against the recent findings by Goldman and collaborators ( Han et al., 2013), as discussed above.
(2007) have argued that human teratoma formation studies in adult mice are justifiable and should be routinely approved by animal care committees with a minimal need for regulation by the stem cell research oversight process. Why should these assays be exempt? Lensch et al. Chimerism in animals should be distinguished from mosaicism - the presence in a single organism of genetically heterogeneous cells originating from one zygote 1. In animals, chimeras are called organisms whose cells are derived from two or more zygotes. Certainly both are valid concerns, but they do not always go together: a particular intervention can be safe but not effective, or effective but not safe. A chimera is an organism made up of genetically heterogeneous cells. Important underlying values for those who are pursuing this research include safety and efficacy. However, it is crucial to examine carefully the arguments for and against particular lines of research, if only to avoid the impression that important issues are swept under the carpet. see Danish Council of Ethics, 2008 and Streiffer, 2010) includes: violation of human dignity violation of the order of nature risk and scientific uncertainty violation of the dignity of the humanised animal violation of taboo against mixing of species danger of moral confusion – should resulting chimeras be treated as animals or as humans? Some of these concerns might seem irrelevant: for instance, human dignity is obviously a property of humans, not of human cells, and thus may not apply to chimeric animals.
What ethical issues do these research avenues raise, over and above those concerning animal health and welfare? A possible list of concerns (e.g.
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