Scientists Use Human Cells to Copy Early Embryo Development

 

Scientists say that for the first time, they have developed early human-like embryo¹ structures in a laboratory. The research could lead to new methods in reproductive technology. It is also likely to raise new ethical² questions.

Researchers say the lab-created structures seemed to model blastocysts, which form during the early stages of human embryonic³ development. Two separate research groups say they used human cell material to successfully create the structures.

The results were recently described in two papers in the publication Nature. The teams noted⁴ that their work was carried out only for research purposes, not with the goal of reproducing human embryos⁵.

The findings could help scientists gain a better understanding of early human development. The area of research has historically been very difficult to study. That is because few human embryos are available and such studies are subject to many ethical and legal restrictions⁶, an article in Nature noted about the research.

Progress in the field of early human development could lead to improved infertility⁷ treatments and help prevent pregnancy⁸ loss and birth defects.

Jun Wu is a molecular⁹ biologist at Southwestern Medical Center at the University of Texas. He led one of the research teams. He told The Associated Press he thinks the results can support new research in the field without the need to experiment on human embryos.

Wu's team used embryonic stem cells to produce the blastocyst-like structures. The second team used a "reprogramming" method to turn human skin cell tissue into stem cells for research.

Blastocysts form a few days after an egg has been fertilized¹⁰, but before the cells attach to the uterus to become an embryo. Wu said the new models were similar to blastocysts about three to 10 days after fertilization.

Both groups said the lab-created structures were not the same as naturally formed embryos and it is unclear whether they could develop into actual embryos.

Scientists had already created similar structures of mouse cells in a lab, but this is the first time they were made from human cells. Researchers attempted to turn the lab-generated mouse cell structures into embryos, but they were not successful.

In the United States, federal funding is not available for research involving human embryos or blastocysts. Several states ban such research altogether.

Some scientists use blastocysts donated from fertility centers for research into the cause of infertility and diseases present from birth. The new work should permit them to expand such research.

The researchers noted that their creations were not meant to be used for human reproduction. "There is no implantation," said Amander Clark, a stem cell biologist at the University of California, Los Angeles who took part in the experiments. "These structures are not transferred to a uterus or uterus-like structure," she said. "There is no pregnancy."

But one scientist not involved in the research said it could be difficult to see clear differences between blastocysts resulting from fertilization and the structures created in a lab. Shoukhrat Mitalipov, a human embryologist at Oregon Health and Science University, told the AP that both groups show "how closely they resemble real embryos."

Mitalipov said, "If they are really as good as embryos, should they be treated as embryos? This brings new ethical issues."

Words in This Story

ethical – adj. relating to what is right or wrong

defect – n. a problem or fault that makes someone or something not perfect

implant¹¹ – v. to place something into someone's body in a medical operation

transfer – v. to move something from one place to another

resemble – v. to look like or be very similar to someone or something else

1 embryo   

n.胚胎，萌芽的事物

参考例句：

• They are engaging in an embryo research.他们正在进行一项胚胎研究。
• The project was barely in embryo.该计划只是个雏形。

2 ethical   

adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to get the youth to have a high ethical concept.必须使青年具有高度的道德观念。
• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。

3 embryonic   

adj.胚胎的

参考例句：

• It is still in an embryonic stage.它还处于萌芽阶段。
• The plan,as yet,only exists in embryonic form.这个计划迄今为止还只是在酝酿之中。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 embryos   

n.晶胚；胚，胚胎( embryo的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Somatic cells of angiosperms enter a regenerative phase and behave like embryos. 被子植物体细胞进入一个生殖阶段，而且其行为象胚。 来自辞典例句
• Evolution can explain why human embryos look like gilled fishes. 进化论能够解释为什么人类的胚胎看起来象除去了内脏的鱼一样。 来自辞典例句

6 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

7 infertility   

n.不肥沃，不毛；不育

参考例句：

• It is the Geneva, Switzerland-based Biotech Company's second recombinant infertility drug. 它是瑞士生物技术公司在日内瓦的公司生产的第二种重组治疗不孕症的药。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术制药疫苗
• Endometritis is a cause of infertility. 子宫内膜炎是不育的原子。 来自辞典例句

8 pregnancy   

n.怀孕，怀孕期

参考例句：

• Early pregnancy is often accompanied by nausea.怀孕早期常有恶心的现象。
• Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage.怀孕期吸烟会增加流产的危险。

9 molecular   

adj.分子的；克分子的

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。
• For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.当压强趋近于零时，分子的碰撞就停止了。

10 Fertilized   

v.施肥( fertilize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The study of psychology has recently been widely cross-fertilized by new discoveries in genetics. 心理学研究最近从遗传学的新发现中受益匪浅。
• Flowers are often fertilized by bees as they gather nectar. 花常在蜜蜂采蜜时受粉。

11 implant   

vt.注入，植入，灌输

参考例句：

• A good teacher should implant high ideals in children.好教师应该把高尚理想灌输给孩子们。
• The operation to implant the artificial heart took two hours.人工心脏植入手术花费了两小时。