Scientists create the world’s first “synthetic embryo” (Video)
An unprecedented new breakthrough in science; Israeli scientists have created the world’s first synthetic embryo, grown in a laboratory. And as expected, the ethical debate revived.
The project was in the hands of molecular geneticist Joseph Hanna and a team from the Wizemann Institute of Science, in Israel, managed to create a synthetic mouse embryo in the laboratory . No fertilized eggs or uteruses , potentially giving a glimpse into what the early stages of human pregnancy will look like.
Synthetic embryo created in the laboratory
The new model, as read in an article in Cell magazine , mimicked all the characteristics of a primitive body. Including the precursors of the heart, blood, brain and other organs , as well as supporting cells such as those found in the placenta and other tissues needed to establish and maintain pregnancy.
Megan Munsie , a stem cell researcher at the University of Melbourne who was not involved in the study, stated:
“This is a crucial phase: in humans, many pregnancies are lost at this stage and we don’t really know why. Having models provides a way to better understand what can go wrong, and possibly insights into what we can do about it.”
The embryo model, however, lived only 8 of the 20 days of the mouse embryonic cycle. A critical drawback, given the stated purpose of Renewal Bio , the company founded by Hanna for commercial research funding.
The startup’s goal is to develop trunk , in an attempt to “solve” the human health crisis. A science that, according to experts, will not be ready for decades.
create human versions
In short, Bio Renewal wants to create embryonic versions of humans so they can harvest tissue for transplants.
Critics who spoke to MIT Technology Review said this was not the time to talk about creating a synthetic human embryo . Especially given the increased political context and controversy surrounding the investigation.
Nicolas Rivron , mother cell scientist at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology in Vienna, says that «it is not necessary» and he wonders «why» it harán.
James Briscoe , from the French Crick Institute in London, did not see himself as positive in the face of the investigation and declared the following:
«Synthetic human embryos are not an immediate prospect. We know less about human embryos than about mouse embryos and the inefficiency of synthetic mouse embryos suggests that translating hallazgos to humans requires further development».
It seems that, no matter where the researchers are located on the subject, the majority is in agreement that it is «too ready». Talking seriously about the ethics of creating a synthetic human embryo is, however controversial, but no matter what is happening, it is a great advance.
