Scientists Near Breakthrough to Revolutionize Human Reproduction

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Human Eggs From Scratch?


It may sound like science fiction, but it’s not. NPR reports that scientists not only may soon be able to mass produce eggs and sperm in a lab from any cell in a person’s body but will be able to create embryos to make a child using just one parent’s cells.

Known as in vitro gametogenesis, or IVG, this means humans could create babies and give birth just with their own DNA, without the “help” of someone else’s sperm and eggs. Scientists say this isn’t a matter of if it can be done, but when.

Besides being an aid to infertility, it also could help trans people to have children, for example, by having only their own DNA as the genetic parent. The implications of the process are far-reaching, with ethical questions to address, such as whether a dead person could produce a baby through a few preserved cells, or if someone far too old or too young to have children could become parents this way.

The possibility of creating “designer” babies is also on the table. If it sounds just too wild to be true, be aware that this process has already been done in mice — with the final result being the birth of healthy mouse pups.

 

SOURCE:

NPR May 25, 2023

 

Source: Original Article

Publish Date: 2023-05-26 05:28:39