Learning Intentions
- To learn what a chimera is
- To understand how human chimeras already exist
Media
Natural Health Secrets – What is a Chimera? What Does Chimera Mean (3:44)
MinuteEarth – Why Can’t Mules Have Babies? (3:05)
Questions
- What is micro-chimerism?
- The bone marrow in humans is where most blood cells are produced. If someone is the recipient of a bone marrow transplant, they become a chimera, as they start producing blood with the DNA of the bone marrow donor. How is this analogous to a blood transfusion? How is this analogy flawed?
- In the video, they make reference to the case of Chris Long. He had had a vasectomy and a bone marrow transplant. His blood, his lips, his cheeks, and his semen all contained DNA of his donor. What practical implications are there?
Further Reading
National Geographic (Disney): Chimerism, or How a marmoset’s sperm is really his brother’s:
Every single tissue type examined, including brain, skin, hair, muscle, liver and more, was chimeric in at least one set of twins. But the big surprise was over half of the male marmosets had chimeric sperm. Which means that these men were occasionally and unwittingly fertilising females with their sibling’s genes.
Germ-line chimerism and paternal care in marmosets (Callithrix kuhlii) by Corinna Ross
Chimeric cats can have a striking combination of fur colours. Tortoiseshell cats and calico cats are almost always female.
Mom Of 3 Takes Dna Test, Then Results Tell Her The Kids Aren’t Hers At All (9:52)
My Unborn Twin Is The Mother Of My Children | Chimera (Medical Documentary) (46:28)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFf5gKiTGlo