Ruth Faden’s group at the Phoebe R. Berman Institute has been highlighting the issue of the possible effects of research on stem cell transplantation in non-human primate models. If stem cells are to be used – as is often proposed – to counter neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson Syndrome or senile dementia, research on the safety and efficacy of neural-stem-cell transplantation will have to be done first. It makes obvious sense that this research would have to be done in non-human models that are neurologically closest to humans, which would mean non-human primates – the dangers of attempting such therapy in humans on a completely untried basis are prohibitive. But the closeness of these animals’ neural systems to the human brain raises fears that transplanting human cells into them, or creating human/primate chimeras in utero, would result in monkeys or apes with altered cognitive capacities – perhaps (as Glen McGee tags them) “Really, Really, Smart Monkeys”, or non-human primates with human-like mental and emotional patterns. This raises qualms even within the less-queasy bioethical community. Faden is attempting to get ahead of the problem before the monkeys get pissed off and form a union.

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Susan Okie, MD, has a good overview article in last week’s NEJM, reviewing the current state of regulations, ethics guidelines, and national and international research projects regarding embryonic stem cells and somatic-cell nuclear transfer research. It is not too detailed, but highlights the tensions resulting from competing pressures in the field.

[Hat tip: Phoebe Berman Inst.]