http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytoplasmic_hybridCybrids, or cytoplasmic hybrids, are eukaryotic cell lines produced by the fusion of whole cells with cytoplasts. Cytoplasts are enucleated cells.
All Things Considered, September 5, 2007 · British regulators decided Wednesday to allow, at least in principle, the creation of hybrid human-animal embryos for research into degenerative diseases. The move came despite fierce opposition from some church and ethics groups.
Two teams of British scientists had applied to Britain's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) for permission to create what are known in Britain as cytoplastic hybrids, or cybrids, in order to overcome a shortage of donated human eggs.
The process involves injecting human DNA into an animal egg cell from which the nucleus has been removed.
Researchers hope to use the hybrid embryos, which must be destroyed after 14 days, which would create stem cells. The stem cells could be used to help find new medical treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's, and Parkinson's.
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Scientists have said they understand that the idea of the process — which would create a hybrid embryo that is 99.9 percent human and 0.1 percent animal — might be shocking to some people. But Dr. Stephen Minger of Kings College London says the public should not be alarmed.
It seems that the other small percentage reflects the genetics introduced into the cytoplasmic hybrid by fusing an anucleated cell from a non-human source (no nuclear DNA) with function mitochondria (with their mitochondrial genome) with a human cell with possibly no functional mitochondria. The mitochondrial genome is very small compared to the nuclear genome whihc results in a small %.Astronuc said:So what's the other 1% or 0.1%?
Cybrids or cytoplasmic hybrids are organisms that have been created by the fusion of two different cells from different species. The cells used in this process are typically from the cytoplasm, which is the fluid inside a cell that contains various organelles and other cellular components. This fusion results in an organism with a combination of genetic material and characteristics from both parental species.
Cybrids are created through a process called cytoplasmic transfer. This involves removing the nucleus from one cell and fusing it with the cytoplasm from another cell. The resulting hybrid cell contains genetic material from both cells and is then implanted into a host cell to develop into a full organism.
The creation of cybrids allows scientists to study the effects of combining genetic material from different species. This can help in understanding how certain traits are inherited and how different species may adapt to new environments. Cybrids also have potential applications in biotechnology, such as producing new plant varieties with desirable traits.
Yes, cybrids are considered GMOs because they involve the manipulation and combination of genetic material from different species. However, the specific regulations and considerations for cybrids may vary depending on the country and their specific definitions of GMOs.
There are some ethical concerns surrounding the creation of cybrids, particularly in terms of the potential for creating new species and altering natural genetic diversity. Some also argue that this type of research may blur the boundaries between different species and raise questions about the value of individual organisms. However, ethical considerations are an important aspect of scientific research and must be carefully considered and addressed in the development and use of cybrids.