In biotechnology it is now possible to combine elements between organisms of different species. It is also possible to create cloned animals using parts of eggs from one species and nuclear genetic material from another. It is even possible to create novel organisms via interspecies combinations of gametes. Should such procedures ever be permissible between animal species? If so, should we ever combine human beings with animals?

Early in 2007 a parliamentary committee met to discuss the technological and ethical issues surrounding any possible mixing together of human and animal species. They sat as a response to proposed legislation which, if enacted, would have banned such work. After effective lobbying from scientists and other associated interest groups, the committee decided in favour of the creation and limited use of human-nonhuman hybrids, chimeras and 'cybrids'.