Accessibility links
Gene Editing Raises Hopes, Fears Gene Editing TK
Special Series

Gene Editing Raises Hopes, Fears

In Search For Cures, Scientists Create Embryos That Are Both Animal And Human
Jeannie Phan for NPR

Shots - Health News

In Search For Cures, Scientists Create Embryos That Are Both Animal And Human

Researchers experimenting with chimeric embryos say they could develop into adult pigs, sheep or cows with human organs that one day might be suitable for transplantation in people.

In Search For Cures, Scientists Create Embryos That Are Both Animal And Human

Listen · 8:13
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/478212837/478571285" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

NIH Plans To End Moratorium On Funding Controversial Chimera Research

The National Institutes of Health is proposing to permit funding for the controversial experiments, which involve scientists using human stem cells to create embryos that are part human, part animal.

NIH Plans To End Moratorium On Funding Controversial Chimera Research

Listen · 3:31
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/488637607/488637608" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
NIH Plans To Lift Ban On Research Funds For Part-Human, Part-Animal Embryos

Pablo Ross of the University of California, Davis, inserts human stem cells into a pig embryo as part of experiments to create chimeric embryos. Rob Stein/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Rob Stein/NPR

Shots - Health News

NIH Plans To Lift Ban On Research Funds For Part-Human, Part-Animal Embryos

The National Institutes of Health is proposing to fund experiments that create chimeras of human and animal cells while also imposing restrictions in response to ethical concerns.

NIH Plans To Lift Ban On Research Funds For Part-Human, Part-Animal Embryos

Listen · 3:52
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/488387729/488722490" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Breaking Taboo, Swedish Scientist Seeks To Edit DNA Of Healthy Human Embryos
Alicia Watkins for NPR

Shots - Health News

Breaking Taboo, Swedish Scientist Seeks To Edit DNA Of Healthy Human Embryos

A Swedish biologist wants to change the genes of healthy human embryos to find ways to treat infertility and other diseases. The experiments intensify ethical questions about genetic engineering.

Breaking Taboo, Swedish Scientist Seeks To Edit DNA Of Healthy Human Embryos

Listen · 4:11
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/494591738/494984151" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Swedish Scientist Starts DNA Experiments On Healthy Human Embryos

A scientist in Sweden has started experiments on healthy human embryos in which DNA is altered. It's the first known use of so-called "gene-editing" tools on healthy human embryos.

Swedish Scientist Starts DNA Experiments On Healthy Human Embryos

Listen · 8:20
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/495069492/495069503" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
To Fight Malaria, Scientists Try Genetic Engineering To Wipe Out Mosquitoes

After reaching adulthood, a mosquito emerges from the water looking for trouble. Courtesy of Andrew Hammond hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of Andrew Hammond

Shots - Health News

To Fight Malaria, Scientists Try Genetic Engineering To Wipe Out Mosquitoes

A powerful genetic engineering technique holds promise for wiping out diseases and improving agriculture. But the species-altering approach stirs anxiety about unintended consequences.

To Fight Malaria, Scientists Try Genetic Engineering To Wipe Out Mosquitoes

Listen · 7:59
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/504732533/505592287" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org