Human-pig hybrid formed in the lab for the first time

Scientists have successfully created a human-pig hybrid be implanting human stem cells inside of a pig and watching them grow.  The process brings excitement to those that may need an organ transplant, as we can, very literally, grow the organs we need within a non-human animal.

The numbers tell us that a new person gets put on the list of people awaiting an organ transplant every 10 minutes and every day 22 people die without receiving the organ they need.  This process could change that intricately.

The scientists have created what’s known as a chimera: an organism that contains cells from two different species. 

“In ancient civilizations, chimeras were associated with God,” says lead study author Jun Wu of the Salk Institute.  He goes on to say that our ancestors thought “the chimeric form can guard humans.”  Perhaps, with this new creation, they can.