Scientists Use Human Cells to Copy Early Embryo Development
2021-03-22
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1Scientists say that for the first time, they have developed early human-like embryo structures in a laboratory.
2The research could lead to new methods in reproductive technology.
3It is also likely to raise new ethical questions.
4Researchers say the lab-created structures seemed to model blastocysts, which form during the early stages of human embryonic development.
5Two separate research groups say they used human cell material to successfully create the structures.
6The results were recently described in two papers in the publication Nature.
7The teams noted that their work was carried out only for research purposes, not with the goal of reproducing human embryos.
8The findings could help scientists gain a better understanding of early human development.
9The area of research has historically been very difficult to study.
10That is because few human embryos are available and such studies are subject to many ethical and legal restrictions, an article in Nature noted about the research.
11Progress in the field of early human development could lead to improved infertility treatments and help prevent pregnancy loss and birth defects.
12Jun Wu is a molecular biologist at Southwestern Medical Center at the University of Texas.
13He led one of the research teams.
14He told The Associated Press he thinks the results can support new research in the field without the need to experiment on human embryos.
15Wu's team used embryonic stem cells to produce the blastocyst-like structures.
16The second team used a "reprogramming" method to turn human skin cell tissue into stem cells for research.
17Blastocysts form a few days after an egg has been fertilized, but before the cells attach to the uterus to become an embryo.
18Wu said the new models were similar to blastocysts about three to 10 days after fertilization.
19Both 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.
20Scientists had already created similar structures of mouse cells in a lab, but this is the first time they were made from human cells.
21Researchers attempted to turn the lab-generated mouse cell structures into embryos, but they were not successful.
22In the United States, federal funding is not available for research involving human embryos or blastocysts.
23Several states ban such research altogether.
24Some scientists use blastocysts donated from fertility centers for research into the cause of infertility and diseases present from birth.
25The new work should permit them to expand such research.
26The researchers noted that their creations were not meant to be used for human reproduction.
27"There is no implantation," said Amander Clark, a stem cell biologist at the University of California, Los Angeles who took part in the experiments.
28"These structures are not transferred to a uterus or uterus-like structure," she said.
29"There is no pregnancy."
30But 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.
31Shoukhrat Mitalipov, a human embryologist at Oregon Health and Science University, told the AP that both groups show "how closely they resemble real embryos."
32Mitalipov said, "If they are really as good as embryos, should they be treated as embryos? This brings new ethical issues."
33I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Scientists say that for the first time, they have developed early human-like embryo structures in a laboratory. The research could lead to new methods in reproductive technology. It is also likely to raise new ethical questions. 2Researchers say the lab-created structures seemed to model blastocysts, which form during the early stages of human embryonic development. Two separate research groups say they used human cell material to successfully create the structures. 3The results were recently described in two papers in the publication Nature. The teams noted that their work was carried out only for research purposes, not with the goal of reproducing human embryos. 4The 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 restrictions, an article in Nature noted about the research. 5Progress in the field of early human development could lead to improved infertility treatments and help prevent pregnancy loss and birth defects. 6Jun Wu is a molecular 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. 7Wu'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. 8Blastocysts form a few days after an egg has been fertilized, 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. 9Both 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. 10Scientists 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. 11In the United States, federal funding is not available for research involving human embryos or blastocysts. Several states ban such research altogether. 12Some 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. 13The 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." 14But 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." 15Mitalipov said, "If they are really as good as embryos, should they be treated as embryos? This brings new ethical issues." 16I'm Bryan Lynn. 17Bryan Lynn wrote this story for Learning English, based on reports from The Associated Press and Nature. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 18We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 19_______________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21ethical - adj. relating to what is right or wrong 22defect - n. a problem or fault that makes someone or something not perfect 23implant - v. to place something into someone's body in a medical operation 24transfer - v. to move something from one place to another 25resemble - v. to look like or be very similar to someone or something else