Scientists create synthetic human embryos using stem cells, No need to resort to eggs or sperma revolutionary breakthrough that may Assist in the study of genetic diseases.
“We can create a model similar to a human embryo by reprogramming cells,” said the professor Magdalena Zernicka-Goetzfrom the California Institute of Technology, USA, an intervention carried out within the framework of the International Society for Stem Cell Research Annual Congress in Boston.
According to the British newspaper on Thursday protectorwhich is an innovative step forward improve science and researchHowever at the same time, Ethical Dilemmas and Legal Issues.
Experts in the UK and US say the model embryos are similar to those found earlier in human development, For example, they can provide a “key window” Biological causes of recurrent miscarriage.
Appearing at a separate conference, the head of stem cell biology and developmental genetics at the Francis Crick Institute in London, robin lovell badgesaying “The idea is that if we use stem cells to actually mimic normal human embryonic development, You can get a lot of information on how we started developing, which can go wrong without having to use early embryos for research. “
these structures They don’t have a beating heart or the start of a brainalthough they include cells that would normally go on to form the placenta, yolk sac and embryo itself.
according to this, no short term view right now These synthetic embryos will be used clinically Implanting them in a patient’s uterus is illegale.
“Apart from articles in the media, there is no information available,” So this job cannot be verifiedhe pointed out Alfonso Martinez Ariasfrom the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona.
It is unclear Do these structures have the potential to continue to mature Beyond the earliest stages of development.
Announcement on Creation of Synthetic Human Embryos from Stem Cells raises scientific and ethical questionsBut until the study and all its details are published in a scientific journal, it is impossible to comment on its significance.
Here’s the news from the UK newspapers today, and the reactions of various researchers protector Regarding the creation of model embryos, similar to those found in early stages of human development. An advance presented at the Science Congress in Boston, USA.
Although this may be an “important scientific step”, You need to see the “full report and data to make these claims”martinez explained Science Media Centera platform providing expert scientific resources.
in the scientific community Research published in journal after review the text of by other researchers Independent detection of possible errors.
In recent years, repositories containing so-called “preprints” have popped up on the Internet, Projects offered to the community its author’s science before review and published in magazines.
In any case, he estimates that, while “it is still very early, a stem cell-based synthetic model of the human embryo they have great potential. They can provide fundamental insights into key stages of human development. “
But they also raise “profound ethical and legal questions” and No clear regulations to regulate embryonic models stem cell-derived humans, so Briscoe urged legislation to create a framework for creating and using these embryonic models.
Associate Director of Research, Francis Crick Institute, James BriscoeAlso opined that “no detailed preprint or peer-reviewed article is published with this press release, Unable to comment in detail on its scientific significance“.
Models derived from stem cells “can offer an ethical alternative and easier to obtain”, rather than through in vitro fertilization.
Scientists stress that it is important that research and researchers in the field “Do it cautiously, discreetly and transparently“.
In the view of Roger Strame of the University of Manchester, research by the British and American teams has shown that under highly specialized laboratory conditions, stem cells can Can be directed to form structures similar to the embryonic stage called blastocyst.
professor Remember the blastocyst is an important structurebecause around this time the embryo begins to implant in the uterus and a pregnancy is determined, yes We know so little about that stage of human development.
Although this paper was presented at the Boston meeting by Magdalena Zernicka-Goetzfrom the California Institute of Technology, and not yet fully evaluated The scientific community thinks it “offers exciting prospects,” Sturmey said.
Furthermore, he stressed that, given the nature of the work, British lawyers, ethicists and scientists “are currently working on Develop a series of voluntary guidelines This ensures that research on synthetic embryos is done responsibly.”
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