Hopes and Difficulties for Blastocyst Complementation.

The clinical need for organ replacement therapies has inspired the idea of growing human organs in animal hosts. The injection of human pluripotent stem cells into animal blastocysts provides a possible strategy to accomplish this goal. Subject of Review: A recent study [Wu et al. Cell 2017;168:473-486.e415] tests the feasibility of this approach by creating chimeric embryos between humans and large domestic animals, including pigs and cattle. The study further examines the potential of combining CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing with blastocyst complementation to grow fully foreign organs in chimeric hosts. Second Opinion: Here, we consider what this report and related studies reveal about the likelihood of human-animal chimeras reaching the clinic and translating into therapies. A careful look suggests hope for eventual success in this area but also underscores important challenges that will require dedicated effort to resolve.