The idea of ​​animal and human hybrids has been referenced in various folklore and science fiction fantasies. However, animal and human hybrids have become a reality. Experiments on humans and animals have been conducted since the 2000s. Human and animal hybrids are called chimeras, a beast from Greek mythology, in which it had a lion's head, a goat's body and a serpent's tail. Chimera research has opened a new door in medical research, a door into the unknown, and has provided new information about the human genome. Chimeras are created by injecting foreign DNA (from another animal) into a developing animal embryo. Chimeras were initially used primarily to understand developmental biology. Today chimeras are used for disease processes, testing new drugs and organ transplants. Sheep and pigs have been genetically modified to produce human organs for transplants. In 2004, pigs were modified to have human blood (Silverman). Because chimeras can be genetically modified to include human DNA, they make better research subjects. Irv Weissman, director of the Institute for Cancer and Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at Stanford University, has created mice with 100% human brains. Weissman believes mice may offer revolutionary insights in the fight against brain function and diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. As a result, there is much opposition against the research and use of chimeras (Mott). Some scientists, the informed public and animal rights activists are interested in chimera research. Many believe that chimeras are morally immoral, diminish human integrity, and invade the rights of animals and humans. There are two main categories of opposition, those against comprehensive research and use of chimeras and those who oppose the... middle of paper......w.ahc.umn.edu/img/assets/25857 /chimere.pdf>.Lam, Vivienne. "The truth about chimeras." Creative science quarterly. Science CreativeQuarterly, November 20, 2007. Web. December 17, 2013..Mott, Maryann. “Animal-human hybrids spark controversy.” Nationalgeographic.com. NationalGeographic Society, January 25, 2005. Web. December 17, 2013..Silverman, Jacob. "Curiosity." Discovery.com. Discovery Channel and Web. December 17, 2013.s.htm>.Zimmer, Carl. "Double twist of DNA." The New York Times. New York Times Company, September 16, 2013. Network. December 17, 2013.0&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1387385916-GXuCcdU7CZLwWhE85vGNDQ>.