samuelthegreat Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Lab-grown eggs could pave way towards new fertility treatments Magnification of a lab-grown, fully matured human egg ready for fertilisation. Human eggs have been fully grown in a laboratory, in a move that could lead to improved fertility treatments. Scientists have grown egg cells, which were removed from ovary tissue at their earliest stage of development, to the point at which they are ready to be fertilised. The advance could safeguard the fertility of girls with cancer ahead of potentially harmful medical treatment, such as chemotherapy. Immature eggs recovered from patients' ovarian tissue could be matured in the lab and stored for later fertilisation. Conventionally, cancer patients can have a piece of ovary removed before treatment, but reimplanting this tissue can risk reintroducing cancer. The study has also given insight into how human eggs develop at various stages, which could aid research into other infertility treatments and regenerative medicine. Scientists and medical experts worked together to develop suitable substances in which eggs could be grown -- known as culture mediums -- to support each stage of cell development. Their findings, using tissue donated by women who were undergoing routine surgery, build on 30 years of research. In previous studies, scientists had developed mouse eggs to produce live offspring, and had matured human eggs from a relatively late stage of development. The latest study is the first time a human egg has been developed in the lab from its earliest stage to full maturity. The study, carried out in collaboration with the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, The Center for Human Reproduction in New York and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, was supported by the Medical Research Council. It was published in Molecular Human Reproduction. Professor Evelyn Telfer, of the School of Biological Sciences, who led the research, said: "Being able to fully develop human eggs in the lab could widen the scope of available fertility treatments. We are now working on optimising the conditions that support egg development in this way and studying how healthy they are. We also hope to find out, subject to regulatory approval, whether they can be fertilised." SOURCE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mona Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Quote Professor Evelyn Telfer, of the School of Biological Sciences, who led the research, said: "Being able to fully develop human eggs in the lab could widen the scope of available fertility treatments‘‘. Well, ... that's great, but it's not the only truth behind it. No matter what scientists are trying to persuade (they obviously are interested in getting new grants...), we are getting closer and closer to the dangerous moment, when the fully lab “manufactured“ human being will be at hand. Not the nicest perspective IMHO. That's why mixed feelings on my end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samuelthegreat Posted February 10, 2018 Author Share Posted February 10, 2018 1 hour ago, mona said: the fully lab “manufactured“ human being will be at hand. Not the nicest perspective IMHO. Very true it will be a freighting day when the first manufactured human being is made, what I wonder is what other discoveries this could lead to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mona Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 @samuelthegreat I'm a freelance journalist myself, much intersted in science and social problems. Have been talking to many researches and scientists in my life. They are often nice people passionate about their work, but .... they highly depend on grants... So they tend to overrate the positive impact of their studies, while sometimes completely neglecting potential negatives and perils. That's why I use to be a bit sceptical when reading this kind of articles .... and try looking with the “‘cold eyes‘“ .... what's hidden under the hood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Cloning a tomatoe is not the same thing as cloning humans We used to see perfect clones in sc-fi moves with all of the "original" memories etc...but it's not true The "devil's kitchen" workers are still trying under the hood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rasbridge Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 On 2/10/2018 at 8:53 AM, samuelthegreat said: Very true it will be a freighting day when the first manufactured human being is made, what I wonder is what other discoveries this could lead to Just because scientists can do something does not mean they should do something. In my opinion, I do not like the direction this is heading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mona Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 45 minutes ago, rasbridge said: Just because scientists can do something does not mean they should do something. You are talking about the ideal world, that doesn't exist. In the real world - what can be done - will usually be done ... sooner or later (slippery slope) and despite all moral precautions. There will always be a bunch of immoral, selfish, ruthless and ambitious individuals who would care more for their own career (and money) than the future of humanity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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