Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University have accomplished something no one ever thought would be possible, they produced healthy human embryos from DNA extracted from run-of-the-mill skin cells. The study was released Monday in Nature Communications and is a significant step forward for the treatment of infertility, although applying this to actual medical treatment remains decades away. The new technique may someday treat millions of individuals who are having trouble conceiving.
The new method, known by scientists as “mitomeiosis,” was able to convert skin cell DNA into functional eggs, which were then fertilised with sperm to form early-stage embryos. None of the embryos made it past six days of growth, but 9% became blastocysts, a stage at which embryos would usually be implanted into a woman’s uterus during IVF treatment. Dr Shoukhrat Mitalipov, director of OHSU’s Centre for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy and leader of the study, said they did what people believed was impossible.
New Process Works Partially But Needs More Development
Scientists created 82 functional eggs by placing skin cell DNA into donor eggs whose genetic material had been removed beforehand. That’s the same technique scientists employed to produce Dolly the sheep many years ago. The large new breakthrough was getting these reconstructed eggs to discard half their chromosomes through the newly created mitomeiosis process, which is a combination of aspects of both mitosis and meiosis, the two ways cells divide.
But huge issues still lie ahead before this could be used by doctors with patients. All of the embryos that they made had chromosome issues that would prevent them from growing into healthy babies. The process also does not have the normal mixing of chromosomes that allows brothers and sisters to be distinct from one another, and instead of occurring in the very specific pairs required for healthy embryos, chromosomes are discarded randomly. Mitalipov said to STAT News it sort of works half and half doesn’t work, but he remains optimistic they will get it together because they know they can do it.
Technology Could Help Millions, Including Same-Gender Couples
If scientists are able to master this technology, it could revolutionise fertility treatment for millions of individuals with issues conceiving. The method could assist women who have lost eggs due to ageing or cancer treatment, as well as genetic disorders where egg production is impacted. Women experiencing premature menopause or whose ovaries have been harmed by chemotherapy may be able to use their own skin cells to produce eggs.
Perhaps most significantly, this study makes genetic parenthood possible for same-sex couples. It might be that male couples theoretically could use one partner’s skin cells to generate eggs and the other partner’s sperm for impregnation, so the child would bear DNA from both fathers. Dr Paula Amato, OHSU professor of obstetrics and gynaecology and co-author of the study, called the technique a hope for millions of infertile people and a means for same-sex couples to have children genetically linked to both of them.
Experts Predict Safety Testing Will Take at Least a Decade
Physicians who specialise in reproductive medicine commended the work while emphasising the necessity for plenty of safety testing prior to attempting this with actual patients. University of Edinburgh Professor Richard Anderson termed the research a step toward making it possible for many women to have their own genetic children, although he noted extremely important safety issues need to be resolved first. The scientists themselves believe that a minimum of ten more years of further research will need to pass before they could even begin contemplating initiating clinical trials with human subjects.
The safety issues are serious since any issue with the embryos might result in birth abnormalities or unsuccessful pregnancies. The scientists must identify a way of correcting the chromosome problems and ensuring the eggs produced this way function in the same way as natural eggs. They must also conduct extensive animal testing before going to human trials. Although the achievement is thrilling, specialists caution against raising hopes too high because translating this lab success into real medical therapy will take many tough technical hurdles to overcome.
News At Glance
- Scientists achieved the first-ever creation of viable human embryos from skin cell DNA
- 9% of embryos developed to the blastocyst stage, but all contained chromosome defects that would halt development
- Technology may benefit women unable to produce eggs and enable same-sex couples to bear genetically related children
- At least a decade of safety trials is required prior to possible clinical application with patients
FAQs
1. How did scientists make embryos from skin cells?
They inserted skin cell DNA into donor eggs, got them to reject half their chromosomes, then fertilised them with sperm.
2. Is this something that can be applied today to allow people to have children?
No, all the embryos had issues, and scientists estimate that at least ten more years of research are required.
3. Who might this benefit in the future?
Women who lost their eggs due to age or cancer treatment, and same-sex couples seeking genetically related kids.
4. What issues still need to be repaired?
A: All of the embryos had chromosome abnormalities, and the procedure doesn’t happen quite like regular egg production.
5. When might this be available for patients?
Researchers estimate that at least a decade before clinical trials could even be considered.
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