Advances in synthetic embryos leave legislators needing to catch up

The Guardian

Analysis: As the science outpaces the law, scientists should proceed cautiously and clear boundaries must be set

Synthetic embryos sit at a unique juxtaposition: scientifically fascinating, ethically challenging and, for the most part, entirely unregulated by current legislation. The latest work by Prof Magdalena ลปernicka-Goetzโ€™s team brings these issues into stark relief and show that developments in this field are happening so quickly that the science is rapidly outpacing the law.

The motivation for creating embryo models in the lab is relatively uncontroversial. For the avoidance of doubt, there are no plans to create lab-grown babies. The aim is to obtain unprecedented insights into a window of human development that until now has largely remained a โ€œblack boxโ€ because it falls beyond the legal limit up to which scientists can cultivate embryos in the lab, and before a pregnancyโ€™s progress can be detected on a scan.

Scientists including ลปernicka-Goetz have worked for years to develop lab-based models that can lift the lid on this crucial period of development. Until recently, though, such models could only be coaxed along the very earliest stages of development before they stopped maturing, and were only a rough approximation of what occurs in nature.

In the past few years this picture has changed. Last year, in a groundbreaking advance, scientists succeeded in creating synthetic mouse embryos that bore a remarkable resemblance to the natural equivalents, including having a beating heart and primitive brain-like structure. In April, a Chinese team reported implanting synthetic embryos created from monkey cells to produce short-lived pregnancies.

The latest work shows that these sophisticated culture systems, designed to mimic the environment of the womb, can also be used to create human stem cell embryo models. According to the team behind the work, this allowed them to replicate important steps in development up to the equivalent of about 14 days in a natural embryo โ€“ and possibly just beyond this point.

So far, none of the animal model embryos has gone on to produce living animals, but some think that may eventually be possible. In her comments on Thursday, ลปernicka-Goetz pointed out that her team was now able to cultivate the synthetic mouse embryos to the same stage as they could achieve with natural mouse embryos obtained through fertilizing an egg with sperm.

By Hannah Devlin

Read Full Article on TheGuardian.com

The Thinking Conservative
The Thinking Conservativehttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/
The goal of THE THINKING CONSERVATIVE is to help us educate ourselves on conservative topics of importance to our freedom and our pursuit of happiness. We do this by sharing conservative opinions on all kinds of subjects, from all types of people, and all kinds of media, in a way that will challenge our perceptions and help us to make educated choices.

Columns

Why Fishermen Are Catching Fewer Lobsters in Maine

For veteran lobsterman Travis Dammier, it was the end of another trip at sea on a solo voyage to earn a living.

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting โ€“ period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Beyond the Trump-Musk fallout?

We are witnessing an unprecedented, unhinged Democrat effort to use lawfare, big Democrat donors, street theater, congressional disruptions, potty-mouth videos, the administrative state, the legacy media, and discredited pollsters to stop the Trump agenda.

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenlandโ€™s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

News

Musk Mulls New Political Party Amid Feud With Trump

Elon Musk is considering launching a new political party in wake of his public fallout with President Trump over a major Republican tax and spending bill.

Citigroup Reverses Course on Controversial Firearm Policies

Citigroup reversed its policy requiring retail business clients to refrain from selling firearms to those who havenโ€™t passed background checks.

Supreme Court Sides With DOGE in Social Security, Records Cases

The Supreme Court handed DOGE two big wins late on June 6 in its effort to reduce the size of the federal government.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Returns to US to Face Criminal Charges

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, is on his way back to the US, where he will face criminal charges for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants.

White House Adviser Gives Update on DOGEโ€™s Future Amid Muskโ€“Trump Spat

A top White House adviser said DOGEโ€™s work will likely continue amid a spat between its former chief, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Dismantling of Education Department

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to allow it to resume dismantling U.S. Dept of Education, following a lower courtโ€™s previous order halting process.

FTC Warns of Rising Student Loan Scams, Says Fraudsters Took Millions From Borrowers

FTC is warning borrowers to steer clear of student loan debt-relief scams, after shutting down group of companies that allegedly charged millions in illegal fees and left customers worse off.

Walmartโ€™s Drone Delivery Coming to 5 More US Cities

Walmart is set to launch its drone delivery service in five more U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa, the company.
spot_img

Related Articles