Human-animal hybrids, or chimeras are organisms that contain both human and animal DNA or other cell parts.  Because of the shortage of human eggs for the cloning process, scientists have turned to alternative egg sources: animals, namely cows and mice.  The Louisiana State Legislature voted in favor of a bill that would outlaw the creation of human-animal hybrids in that state.

Hybrid technologies degrade human dignity. And they could potentially lead to a subclass of human beings used for parts and treated less-than-human.  Furthermore, this experimentation would all be in the name of science, not patients. Mixing animal and human tissue and applying it to treatments could likely result in diseases like swine or avian flu or other yet unknown cross-species disease outbreaks.

At the federal level, Senator Sam Brownback and Representative Chris Smith have proposed the Human-Animal Hybrid Prohibition Act.  This act would ban the creation, transfer, or transportation of a human-animal hybrid.  Go here to tell your lawmakers what you think.