The Netherlands produces embryos without eggs and sperm

Dutch scientists developed methods to create identical embryos from two types of stem cells for medical research.

The team at Maastricht University in the Netherlands combines two types of stem cells from mice. After combining in the experimental plate, they developed into early stage embryos called blastocysts (empty spheres contain many cells) and were implanted into the rat uterus. At first, the uterine stimulating cells were like normal 3.5-day-old embryos, but were damaged later. The study results are published in the journal Nature yesterday.

Embryos made from stem cells are implanted in mice.(Artwork: Labiotech).

According to Professor Nicholas Rivron, the head of the research team, as soon as three years later, they can create mouse embryos capable of surviving, but the creation of human embryos will require decades. The main use of these embryos is to test drugs and study infertility .

"Normal fetal embryos are very rare and cannot be used to test drugs because of too little quantity. With a distribution bag, you can increase the number of embryos, allowing future drug research. I don't think about using it. embryos for reproduction in humans This is a morally disturbing act because it involves human cloning, which is strictly prohibited , " said Rivron.

Professor Rivron said he and his colleagues have not found the cause of a failed embryo implant."They look very similar to normal embryo sacs and produce many types of cells. However, cells are not fully organized. They are like interrupted embryos , " said Rivron.

Professor Robin Lovell-Badge at Francis Crick Institute admits this is a groundbreaking study, but luckily the experiment does not happen in humans."Many people can breathe when the method of producing many genetically similar human embryo structures that can be used for transplantation is not feasible, even if the embryo is banned from implantation in women," Professor Lovell. -Badge said. Professor Rivron also stressed that the technology he is developing is less likely to be used by a country to produce clones because they do not have the scientific expertise to conduct.