"Lab-Born Eggs: Human Skin DNA Fertilised in Groundbreaking Experiment"

Scientists Achieve Breakthrough in Human Embryo Development from Skin Cells In a groundbreaking achievement, researchers at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) have successfully developed human embryos by fertilizing egg cells engineered with DNA from adult skin cells. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize fertility treatment options for gay couples and women with fertility issues. According to Shoukhrat Mitalipov, lead researcher on the project, "This breakthrough could provide a way for gay couples or women with fertility problems to have children who are biologically related to both their parents." The team's success builds upon existing knowledge of animal cloning, but presents unique challenges due to the haploid nature of eggs and sperm. The process involves replacing an egg cell's nucleus with that of a skin cell, which contains a full set of chromosomes. This requires halving the number of chromosomes present in the skin cell to match the haploid state of the egg cell. The OHSU team has successfully accomplished this feat, paving the way for further research into reproductive technologies. This achievement is significant because it addresses the need for fertility treatment options that allow individuals or couples to have children biologically related to both parents. According to Mitalipov, "Many couples want babies with a mix of both of their genes, which requires sperm and an egg." The development of human embryos from skin cells could potentially provide this option. The OHSU team's success is also notable because it demonstrates the potential for using adult stem cells in reproductive medicine. This breakthrough has sparked excitement among researchers and fertility specialists, who see its potential to improve treatment options for individuals struggling with infertility. While this achievement is a significant step forward, it is essential to note that human cloning remains a highly debated topic, and any future applications of this technology will require careful consideration and regulation. The OHSU team's research has sparked renewed interest in the field, but much more work needs to be done before such technologies can be safely and ethically implemented. In an interview with New Scientist, Mitalipov emphasized the importance of further research: "This is just a first step... We need to understand how this technology works and what its limitations are." The OHSU team's achievement has opened doors for future research into reproductive medicine, but it also highlights the complexities and challenges that lie ahead. As researchers continue to explore the possibilities of human embryo development from skin cells, one thing is clear: this breakthrough has the potential to transform fertility treatment options and improve the lives of individuals struggling with infertility. This story was compiled from reports by New Scientist and New Scientist.