Scientists create 'synthetic human embryos' from stem cells: report

Scientists speaking at the International Society for Stem Cell Research's annual conference in Boston, Massachusetts revealed that for the first time, researchers have successfully engineered "synthetic human embryos using stem cells," The Guardian exclusively reported on Wednesday.

"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," the British outlet wrote.

It noted, however, that "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."

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Prof Magdalena Żernicka-Goetz of the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology, who unveiled the breakthrough, explained that "We can create human embryo-like models by the reprogramming of [embryonic stem] cells.

Żernicka-Goetz told The Guardian that "Our human model is the first three-lineage human embryo model that specifies amnion and germ cells, precursor cells of egg and sperm," describing the specimen as "beautiful and created entirely from embryonic stem cells."

Although "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," The Guardian pointed out that there are significant concerns that accompany the developments.

Robin Lovell-Badge, the head of stem cell biology and developmental genetics at the Francis Crick Institute in London, stated to the paper that "if the whole intention is that these models are very much like normal embryos, then in a way they should be treated the same." Lovell-Badge stressed, however, that "currently in legislation, they’re not" and that "people are worried about this."

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The Guardian's report continues at this link.