Researchers at the British Academy of Medical Sciences have examined the use of animals containing human material (ACHM) in biomedical research and identified areas of sensitivity including cognition, reproduction, or creating visual characteristics perceived as uniquely human. They have called for additional oversight to ensure innovative science can flourish within clearly defined ethical boundaries with public support.

The working group considered evidence from experts in academia, government, industry, animal welfare groups and professional bodies. Experiments that were of concern to both the public and the scientific community focus on research studies involving modification of the animal brain that could potentially lead to human-like “cerebral” function, experiments that might lead to fertilization of human eggs or sperm in an animal; and modification of an animal to create characteristics perceived as uniquely human, such as facial shape, skin texture, or speech.

However, the researchers say that ACHM offers new opportunities to understand how the human body functions and the processes and treatment of disease — thanks to the sophistication of techniques to incorporate human cells or genetic information into animals.

• Mice carrying human genes are widely used to study many diseases, including neurological and anxiety disorders, osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancer.
• Goats that have a human gene incorporated in their genome are used to produce a human protein (an anti-thrombin) that is used to treat blood clotting disorders.
• Mice implanted with sections of human tumor are used in cancer research to study how cancers develop and spread, and to test new drugs and therapies.
• Introducing human stem cells into rats can provide an opportunity to study the human brain’s potential for repairing the damage caused by stroke.
• Mice that have their immune systems or livers reconstituted with human cells are used to study diseases such as HIV or hepatitis.

Ref.: Animals containing human material, The Academy of Medical Sciences, 2011; ISBN No: 978-1-903401-32-3, [link to download]