2006-08-16 14:17:04 · 5 answers · asked by lady megane 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
Yes. There was recently a case where a woman for the purposes of public assistance was trying to show the child was hers. The DNA came back that she was not the mother. They later learned she was a chimera, by sampling DNA from various parts of her body. The DNA from one of her ovaries matched the child (who looked more like her nephew from DNA).
She eventually won her case after a LONG struggle.
2006-08-16 14:24:37 · answer #1 · answered by Wicked Mickey 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they do. For several reasons. There is a biological meaning of the word "chimera", which refers to an organism, organ or tissue made up of differing genetic traits obtained by transplant or grafting. If you have seen the movie, "Jurassic Park" you may recall that the "dinosaurs" produced were recreated by the injection of dinosaur DNA into hen's eggs (I think it was), along with DNA of other species, particularly the frog genus Rana. The geneticists forgot about the frogs' trick of changing sexes to even out the population, a trick the dinosaurs inherited from their batrachian "ancestors". That is why they were able to reproduce even though they were all created female to begin with. These dinosaurs were chimeras in the biological sense.
The classic chimera was a mythological Greek monster which was part goat combined with a couple of other animals. It was, therefore, a "chimera'" in the biological sense as well. But the word "chimera" in Greek originally meant "a female goat" and we still have lots of them around even today.
So, yes, there really are chimeras, though not in the mythological sense--or at least, I've never seen one. Maybe I just haven't been in the right place at the right time. Who knows for sure?
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
The Wizzard of Jacksonville
2006-08-16 21:35:09 · answer #2 · answered by jaxwizz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there are two known. One here in the US and one in England. Both were told that their children could not be their own. A Chimera is a person who has two different DNA's .....example, hair and blood have one, but internal organs have another.
2006-08-16 21:27:58 · answer #3 · answered by angel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The beast called chimera exists only in literature.
2006-08-16 21:42:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, and then they're are the Cheimeras from a Japanese cartoon, or Anime, called 'FullMetal Alchemist'.
Good show,
2006-08-16 21:59:16 · answer #5 · answered by Fluffy 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋