Japanese experiments to grow human cells in animals

The Japanese government has given the go-ahead to the University of Tokyo to conduct experiments on human-animal hybirds, which may now be carried to term.

Currently, on the international stage, hybrid embryos are not allowed to develop for more than 14 days. In March, Japan was the first country to remove such restrictions.

The first experiment of its kind to be approved will involve human cells grown in mouse and rat embryos.

According to the experiment lead, geneticist Hiromitsu Nakauchi, there will be no attempts to bring embryos to term for several years to come.

At present, the embryos will only be allowed to develop to a stage where organs are fully formed, and the brains of the embryos will be monitored to ensure they are not too human.

The goal of these experiments is to work towards growing transplantable organs in animal hosts, in order to resolve the constant demand for such organs in medical operations around the world.