Scientists grow human-monkey embryos for the first time The creation of hybrid embryos has triggered a debate within the scientific community SPAIN: Scientists have successfully grown monkey embryos containing human cells for the first time, according to a paper published in the journal Cell on Thursday. According to lead researcher, Juan Carlos Izpisua told Spain’s El Mundo the goal is not to create a living hybrid animal. The embryos were never implanted into monkeys, nor do the scientists intend to do so. Instead, the paper suggests that this type of human-animal hybrid, or chimera, may “constitute a promising strategy for various regenerative medicine applications, including the generation of organs and tissues for transplantation.”