Scientists have created a synthetic human embryo that has the potential to shed more light on miscarriage, marking a significant advancement in medical science. Using stem cells, researchers from the University of Cambridge and California Institute of Technology successfully developed the world’s first synthetic human embryo-like structures, called embryo models. According to The Guardian, these structures are at the earliest stages of development and don’t have organs like the brain or heart. However, they contain cells that would typically proceed to form the placenta and yolk sac. The findings were presented at the International Society for Stem Cell Research meeting on Wednesday.
These models can help scientists understand why the implantation of an actual embryo sometimes fails and leads to miscarriage. Furthermore, they can be used to develop new medicines that prevent or treat problems during pregnancy and guide the development of synthetic human organs for transplant. The research also opens up the possibility of using these models to develop artificial fetuses that can be implanted into patients who need them. However, this will require many regulatory hoops to jump through, and it is still being determined if these synthetic fetuses will fully mature beyond the earliest stage.
To create the model, scientists grew stem cells that usually form embryos in conditions that mimic the wombs. They then coaxed the stem cells into forming structures that resembled an embryo at the 14-day mark of human development. “Our results are exciting because they show that we can make structures that have many of the characteristics of a human embryo, but they don’t grow into a fetus,” said Prof Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, the lead researcher.
When the synthetic embryos were implanted into female monkey uteruses, most didn’t attach, and the ones that eventually developed had defects. However, the scientists are still unable to explain why the fetuses didn’t develop properly, and they say that further study will be necessary before the research can be applied to humans.
The creation of this model is an important step forward in our scientific understanding of early-stage human development. Still, it raises serious ethical concerns about the implications for human life. It is vital for regulatory bodies to establish clear rules and guidelines regarding the creation and utilization of synthetic human embryos, balancing the pursuit of knowledge with respect and dignity for human lives. The emergence of these synthetic models underscores the urgency to engage in a broad public discussion about the ethical and moral dimensions of this groundbreaking research.
