Synthetic Human Embryos Created
June 15th, 2023Via: Guardian:
Scientists have created synthetic human embryos using stem cells, in a groundbreaking advance that sidesteps the need for eggs or sperm.
Scientists say these model embryos, which resemble those in the earliest stages of human development, could provide a crucial window on the impact of genetic disorders and the biological causes of recurrent miscarriage.
However, the work also raises serious ethical and legal issues as the lab-grown entities fall outside current legislation in the UK and most other countries.
The structures do not have a beating heart or the beginnings of a brain, but include cells that would typically go on to form the placenta, yolk sac and the embryo itself.
Prof Magdalena ?ernicka-Goetz, of the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology, described the work in a plenary address on Wednesday at the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s annual meeting in Boston.
“We can create human embryo-like models by the reprogramming of [embryonic stem] cells,” she told the meeting.
There is no near-term prospect of the synthetic embryos being used clinically. It would be illegal to implant them into a patient’s womb, and it is not yet clear whether these structures have the potential to continue maturing beyond the earliest stages of development.
Ethical issues? These scientists apply situation ethics: right and wrong are what they say they are at any particular time for any particular event. That is, how they fit into the scientists’ goals.
Legal issues? The justice system applies situational legality: whether you’ve broken a law depends on what categories you are in: race, religion, political party, etc. That is, how you fit into the justice system’s goals.
I this is ultimately about enabling the rainbow crew to become parents without the aid of “breeders”. It’s like hell is erupting forth on earth.
“…it is not yet clear whether these structures have the potential to continue maturing beyond the earliest stages of development.”
Yeah, of course nobody’s taken things any further.