Ethical concerns regarding growing human cells in monkey embryos

    The field of biotechnology is a vast and interesting one, especially the research about how our body functions and how they can be altered or replaced. Recently, the idea that human cells can be grown in monkey embryos has come to light. The reasons behind it are actually very commendable and may favour society greatly in the long run, however, ethical concerns still pose a challenge as it involves using another species that is similar to humans for the research.    

A human-monkey embryo

I understand the general public's opinion on this research as monkeys are very close in relation to humans, and moreover, it's basically growing human cells in a monkey embryo which is quite an unconventional approach by itself. It tiptoes the line that many in the science field consider the ethical boundary of science. However, from a subjective point of view, if it regards the advancement of humankind on Earth, then it is a necessary line to walk over as it will yield positive results for humans at the end however eccentric the approach used might be.

The lead researcher debunks the ethical concerns by voicing out the reason behind it, which is studying the human tissue that's grown in the monkey which could potentially lead to significant breakthroughs regarding age-associated diseases such as Alzheimer's and arthritis. Of course, most people didn't know this fact and misjudged the purpose of the research to be something more selfish. This brings the question - How have truths ascertained based on misconceptions affected the advancement of humanity?

One example is the misconception that the wind held the sole responsibility for Earth's tides. This idea passed on for a few millennia before it was found in the last century that not only the wind was responsible, but also the sun, moon, and angle of the seabed mattered as well. This discovery may not have affected humanity as a whole, but this new piece of knowledge threw a lot of assumptions made in previous researches out the window. 

To conclude with the answer to the aforementioned question is that no one knows - we may be living in a society that might have truths ascertained based on misconceptions at its very foundation. Only time will tell if we are right or not about whatever we assume to be the truth today.