In 1871, Charles Darwin proposed that humans likely originated in Africa, basing his theory on the traits and similarities found in African primates.
Since then, scientists throughout history have sought to explore and possibly challenge this evolutionary link by attempting to create a hybrid of a human and a chimpanzee, commonly called a ‘humanzee’.
However, he wasn’t the only scientist who aimed to create this type of creature.
Gallup claims that the experiment was conducted in Florida, where scientists became alarmed after the procedure succeeded.
At this point, you might be wondering, ‘Why would anyone even attempt such a thing?’ It’s a fair question.
Not too long ago, a researcher from Spain claimed that he had developed the world’s first human-monkey hybrid in a lab in China.
This embryo was viable, and according to Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte, it could have fully developed if the process hadn’t been interrupted.
Gallup notes that splicing humans with primates isn’t a new practice. He points out that similar experiments were attempted during the 20th century.
A so-called ‘humanzee’ was reportedly created in a labGetty stock image
“They inseminated a female chimpanzee with human semen from an undisclosed donor and claimed not only that pregnancy occurred but the pregnancy went full term and resulted in a live birth.”
“But in the matter of days, or a few weeks, they began to consider the moral and ethical considerations and the infant was euthanized.”
Gallup explained that the professor who relayed this information to him worked at the research center until it relocated to a university in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1930.
Gallup is well-known for developing the ‘self-recognition’ technique, which showed that primates can recognize themselves in mirrors and thus have self-awareness.
The female primate was inseminated by scientistsGetty stock image
Though it might sound wild, scientists continue using monkey embryos in labs to understand how organs develop and grow.
Some researchers have even managed to maintain old embryos outside of the womb for up to 25 days.
