Scientists Create Synthetic Human Embryos from Stem Cells, Raising Ethical Questions

This was unveiled at the annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research in Boston, according to Phys.org.

Professor Magdalena Żernicka-Goetz, from the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology, shared the research findings. Notably, the creation of these human-like embryos involved reprogramming human embryonic stem cells. However, the study has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

This scientific breakthrough raises significant ethical concerns and prompts us to consider the implications for the field of science. What did the researchers exactly do? Each synthetic human embryo was developed from a single stem cell. Żernicka-Goetz explained that her team managed to grow these embryos beyond the 14-day mark, reaching a stage called "gastrulation," which follows the crucial developmental milestone for a human embryo.

Currently, the legal limit for in-lab development of a human embryo is 14 days, roughly corresponding to the period from fertilization to implantation. Allowing synthetic embryos to progress beyond this point is unprecedented. Initially, the 14-day rule served as both a moral and practical boundary due to technological limitations. However, the International Society for Stem Cell Research's guidelines from 2016 deemed this limit morally appropriate, as the cells within the embryo start differentiating to form vital body systems.

Now, the society's updated 2021 guidelines suggest reconsidering the 14-day rule through public debate to potentially extend embryo research in certain cases. Although Żernicka-Goetz's research on synthetic human-like embryos represents a significant advancement, questions remain. The creation of these embryos relied on human embryonic stem cells, indicating that human embryos are still involved in their production. Furthermore, the extent to which these synthetic embryos accurately model human development is uncertain.

While animal models of similar synthetic embryos have shown limitations, failing to develop into viable beings, the potential usefulness of these embryos for studying human developmental issues is uncertain. Scientists seeking to investigate miscarriages and developmental anomalies may still rely on human embryos if synthetic embryos cannot adequately address their research questions.

The moral implications surrounding the use of human embryos for research remain a central concern. Additionally, if human-like synthetic embryos can develop into living beings, the ethical debate intensifies regarding creating them solely for research purposes. Addressing the practical limitations of synthetic embryos by enabling further development would introduce a profound moral quandary.

Decisions regarding the ethical permissibility of creating human-like beings for research purposes require careful consideration, especially when it involves manipulating living entities.