As an emerging biotechnology, the study of human-animal chimeras is of great significance. However, there are huge ethical and social controversies which bring unprecedented challenges to the current legal rules and governance system. This paper argues that based on the undeniable benefits of research on human-animal chimeras and its potential ethical and social issues, as well as issues in accordance with specific types of research, we should not simply allow or prohibit all researches in this field but rather adopt the adaptive and flexible governance strategy of close monitoring and case by case analysis. The paper puts forward suggestions on governance strategies from the perspectives of law and ethical norms, review and supervision, public debates and scientific dissemination, so as to strike a balance between biotechnological progress and ethical restrictions and ensure healthy and orderly development of the research field.

human-animal chimeras  /  life science and technology  /  ethics of science and technology