Change may allow scientists to grow human embryos longer
LA TimesNew guidelines released this week remove a decades-old barrier to stem cell research, recommending that researchers be allowed to grow human embryos longer under limited conditions. It’s “not a green light” for scientists to expand human embryo research, said Kathy Niakan of Cambridge University, who helped draft the guidelines, adding that “would be irresponsible.” Niakan said a public dialogue involving scientists, regulators, funders and the public to discuss any potential objections must be undertaken. The society also offered advice on other contentious stem cell issues, including requiring stringent oversight for transferring human embryos into the uterus after mitochondrial donation — a process where two eggs and one sperm are used to create an embryo. The guidelines also prohibit human cloning, transferring human embryos into an animal uterus and the creation of human-animal chimeras, saying such work “lacks scientific rationale or is ethically concerning.”
History of this topic
Lab-grown human ‘embryo’ created without eggs or sperm
The Hindu
Synthetic human embryos could allow for research beyond the 14-day limit, but this raises ethical questions
The Hindu
Embryonic Research Could Be the Next Target After Roe
Wired
Change may allow scientists to grow human embryos longer
Associated Press)
Pre-embryos made in a lab to study birth defects could spur research, ethical debate
Firstpost
It’s still too soon to try altering the DNA of human embryos, scientific panel says
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