Scientists Create Synthetic Human Embryos From Stem Cells

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.

Photo Insert: The research has enabled the creation of human embryo-like models via the reprogramming of [embryonic stem] cells.

"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."

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."

She 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," Brandon Gage also reported for Alternet.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic