Would a human embryo survive and develop normally if it was placed in a different species, say a gorilla?

Question

And what would the consequences be of putting it in an animal that takes longer than the regular human 9 months to develop?

Would the development of the child in question be slowed in order to accommodate the mother's gestational period?

Or would the child come be born developmentally farther along than a normal baby?

And what do you think would happen if this embryo was not only placed in another primate, like ourselves and gorillas, but in some other mammal, like a horse or a cow?


A friend and I got started on this topic and I find it completely immoral, and OUT of the question. As far as creating animals with human DNA in order to create organs to save the lives of those with organ failure, I think it would be alright. But creating a human/animal hybrid would be wrong.

Although, I've seen some half man/ half winged horse photos in Greek mythology that were pretty good looking! ;-)


I'm interested in hearing your answers!!

Answer 1

The fetus might survive; i don't think anyone knows the answer for sure.

Even though humans and the great apes have a lot in common, i imagine that there are differences in type and amounts of chemical in the blood that would effect the physical and mental development of the fetus. I don't think the differences are predictable.

Something farther away from humans, like a horse or a cow? I doubt the fetus would survive; i expect their would be a spontaneous abortion.

Answer 2

Some of the things he says are spot on- like that people will have coffee colored skin- totally correct- and this guy is a respected scientist by many people, so i guess alot of people think what is says is correct. Me personally- i discount as logic anything published in the daily mail newspaper because they tend to be oppressive in terms of class, gender, culture, faith and so on. last week a visiting scientist was banned from doing a talk here by a museum- the scientist had a nobel prize for his research into stem cell/DNA research, he had said that he had concluded that black people were less intelligent than white. Which logic defines thats utter rubbish-so theres always some crazy scientist around, too much mixing with chemicals in labs can affect the brain thats what i say.

Answer 3

No it would not, unless the gorilla surrigate mother was placed on lots of immuno-suppressing drugs. Otherwise, her body's immune system would recognize the zygote or fetus as "foreign" and would destroy it.

Answer 4

Animal-Human hybrids have already been created in labs.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0125_050125_chimeras.html

Answer 5

"They so were so busy trying to figure out if they could, that no one ever stopped to think if they should"

Answer 6

This is one big worry I hope it never happens ~~