A model of an early-stage human embryo has been created by Israeli scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. This unique model was developed using stem cells in the laboratory, without the need for eggs, sperm, or a womb. It provides a glimpse into the first weeks of embryonic development, resembling an embryo at day 14 when it forms internal structures.
The team’s work was published in the journal Nature and presented during the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s annual meeting in Boston. Although the scientists emphasize that they are far from creating an embryo from scratch, this achievement has significant implications. The model could be used to test the effects of drugs on pregnancies, study miscarriages and genetic diseases, and even grow transplant tissues and organs.
The researchers derived stem cells from adult human skin cells and cultured them in the lab. By reprogramming these cells to an early state with the potential to develop into different cell types, they manipulated them to create a structure resembling an embryo. However, it is important to note that this model is not an actual or synthetic embryo but rather a representation of how one functions.
The team’s next goal is to advance the model to day 21 of embryonic development and achieve a success rate of 50%. The study joins six other similar human embryo-like models published globally this year. Each model contributes to the ability to study various aspects of human development experimentally.
Although this breakthrough raises ethical questions about potential future manipulation of human embryo development, the lead researcher, Jacob Hanna, compares it to nuclear physics. He believes that research should not be halted due to potential misuse, emphasizing the importance of transparency and public engagement throughout the process.
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