#sciencebreakthrough

https://bit.ly/43aoRpb - 🔬 (Off-Topic | Cool Science)Japanese researchers are advancing in the field of lab-grown babies and predict this groundbreaking process could be possible within the next five years. This technique involves creating human eggs and sperm in the lab from scratch, which are then developed in an artificial womb. Professor Katsuhiko Hayashi of Kyushu University, who has already successfully employed the process with mice, foresees the human application in the near future. #ScienceBreakthrough #ArtificialReproduction 🧬 The process, known as in vitro gametogenesis (IVG), starts with cells from a person's blood or skin which are then reprogrammed to become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). In theory, these cells have the ability to transform into any type of cell in the body, including egg and sperm cells. These can be used to create embryos, which are implanted into women's wombs. While scientists have managed to create basic human eggs and sperm in this manner, making viable embryos remains an unmet challenge. #IVG #StemCells 🐭 In recent experiments, Dr. Hayashi's team created seven mice with two biological male parents, utilizing skin cells from a male mouse to form a viable egg that was then fertilized. If this process can be replicated with human cells, it holds promise for infertile individuals, single parents, and same-sex couples. #MedicalResearch #ReproductiveScience ⚖️ Despite the potential benefits, numerous ethical, legal, and safety concerns surround IVG. There are fears that such technological advances could open the way for "designer babies" and eugenics. Additionally, there's the potential for unauthorized use of a person's DNA to create babies without consent. Hence, balancing technological advancement with ethical considerations remains a crucial challenge for the society. #EthicsInScience #DesignerBabies 🔮 Estimating a timeline for this development varies among scientists. Dr. Hayashi believes that it could take another five years to produce egg-like cells from humans, with an additional 10-20 years of testing before the procedure is deemed safe for clinic use. Other researchers predict a similar timeline, emphasizing that safety testing will require additional years. #FutureOfScience #Timeline 👬 Interestingly, the success of this research could pave the way for children being born from two fathers, an aspect that Dr. Hayashi views as a potential outcome. As we tread into this new territory, the question of societal acceptance and legal ramifications also comes into play.