Splice

“Geoffrey Bourne, former director of the Emory University primate center, once stated that ‘it would be very important scientifically to try to produce an ape-human cross.’ Other researchers have suggested using women as ‘hosts’ for the embryos of chimpanzees or gorillas” (See Francis Fukuyama, Our Posthuman Future, Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution, 207. )

On a related topic, Julian Savulescu writes in Human Enhancement:

It has been possible since about 1980s to transfer genes taken from one species into another. ANDi is a rhesus who has had a jellyfish gene incorporated into his DNA. This results in a unique fluorescent green glow. Alba is a genetically engineered rabbit created by French scientists for artist Eduardo Kac. She also has a fluorescent glow. These transgenic animals show that a gene from one species can be successfully transferred and activated in a completely different genome in a different species. There is no reason why genes from other species could not be transferred to human beings, creating transgenic humans. [2]

Savulescu continues:

“Transgenesis could be used to introduce genes coding for superior physical abilities from other animals. For example, humans could have the hearing of dogs, the visual acuity of hawks, the night vision of owls, or even be able to navigate by sonar employed bats.” [3]

These questions are portrayed in the soon to be released movie: Splice.

[2] Savulescu, Julian and Nick Bostrom, ed. Human Enhancement (Oxford University Press, 2009),212.

[3] Ibid, 213.

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