Growing human organs in animals

Question: Recently which of the following country, for the first time, approved the growing of human organs in animals?
(a) India
(b) Japan
(c) South Africa
(d) Italy
Answer: (b)
Related facts:

  • Recently Scientists in Japan received the permission to grow human organs in animals. If it happens, this will be the first study of its kind in the country.
  • A professor of genetics Hiromitsu Nakauchi, at Stanford University led the research of this kind.
  • This kind of research involves implanting modified animal embryos with human Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells.
  • Scientists say that these kinds of implanted stem cells in animal embryo can be directed into forming the building blocks of any part of human organ.
  • Researchers mentioned that it is the initial stage of the lengthy research, which will ultimately lead towards the future where human organs for transplant could be grown inside animals.
  • This only became possible after Japan changed its rules on implanting human cells into animals. The research involves generating animal embryos- mice, rats or pigs. All these animals lacks pancreas.
  • It is noticeable that Japan had previously required researchers to terminate animal embryos implanted with human cells after 14 days and prevented the embryos from being placed into animal wombs to develop.

Link:
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/japan-approves-growing-human-organs-in-animals-for-first-time/article28787782.ece