British and American scientists led by Prof Magdalena Zernica-Goertz from the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology have created model embryos from mouse stem cells. This ‘breakthrough’ can potentially create synthetic human embryos using stem cells, bypassing sperm and eggs in embryonic formation. They’ve successfully engineered the stem cells to create structures similar to early human embryos, and these synthetic embryos mimic the natural developmental process, which reached the point where the entire brain began to develop, providing insights into early human life.
Similarly, in October 2019, researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands were creating artificial womb for premature babies and received a grant of of £2.6m for a prototype model. They believed an artificial womb would be a ‘game changer.’ EctoLife, the brain-child of a molecular biologist, Hashem Al-Gahili, has gone further by alleging in December 2022 that the world’s first artificial womb facility, an archetypal of what could be if there were ethical freedom, was a result of over 50 years of ‘groundbreaking scientific research’ and will be able to ‘grow 30,000 babies a year’. You can watch it here:
The implications of these ‘breakthroughs’ are both promising and concerning. On one hand, many people believe that medical research can greatly benefit from synthetic embryos. They provide a controlled environment for studying embryogenesis, understanding genetic abnormalities, and developing targeted treatments. Additionally, they hold potential for addressing fertility challenges by offering alternatives to traditional gametes and potentially mitigating hereditary disorders. However, it’s crucial to approach these advancements cautiously and address the ethical considerations surrounding the status and rights of these artificial structures.
Future Prospects and Ethical Considerations:
As we stand at the crossroads of these scientific advancements, the future of reproduction hangs in the balance. While synthetic embryos and artificial womb facilities may promise immense medical advancements, personalised treatments, and opportunities for those struggling with fertility, we must approach this ‘breakthroughs’ responsibly. Ethical concerns surrounding the moral status and rights of synthetic embryos and the societal implications of gestation outside the human body cannot be ignored.
The world is already bulking under overpopulation, and allowing this research to continue is unethical, and that’s my own opinion, or am I wrong?
Welcome to the world of synthetic humans!
S. S. David 
We are at a crossroads, but I think it is the beginning of the downfall of man. Their is only one way to go in this plight of man and that is Jesus. Very good post!
You’re right, Dannie, I’m alarmed at all these scientific ‘breakthroughs’. The world as we know it is teetering on the edge, and we’re looking on. Just like the Bible predicted, the right has turned to wrong and bad to good. I echo your words; only Jesus can save! Thanks for stopping by.
Dear Seyi
We don’t think that’s the downfall of man. Every new technology has been demonised and all new technical possibilities have been used. The point is not to reject them, but rather to reflect on how to use them and how not to use them. Ultimately, it is up to the legislator. Old-fashioned moral judgements are of little help.
Great that you started this discussion.
Have a happy weekend
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hello Klaus, and thanks for your kind comment. You’re right about people being wary of new technology. Humanity has advanced rapidly in the last hundred years. Many lives have been saved, and in the same vein, many weapons of mass destruction kept popping up everywhere. There has been much research that may never see the light of day due to ethical considerations and guidelines, and as a race, we may yet live on for the next ten thousand years.
Have a blessed week Klausberd. 🙂 🙂
Luckily, you don’t need to worry about the implications of this video just yet. It is actually a concept video made by a film-maker. It isn’t real and the company doesn’t exist. It is merely trying to show where technology might go – and might do very soon!
It’s not just a concept; it’s scientifically based and has already been achieved by scientists and engineers, I did thorough research before writing up the article. I’m not worried about it; just shedding light on not only what could happen but what would happen if ethical considerations are waived!
That’s not accurate to say that. While the theoretical concepts are there and technology could be placed together to develop what is suggested by the video, Ectolife and all the technology shown in the video does not exist. The maker of the video has stated this himself and at least one media has said of him that “al-Ghaili does not appear to have extensive work experience in molecular biology or other medical fields on which realization of his artificial womb facility would depend.” He has also stated that this is a ‘concept video’, hence my original comment that it is a concept video.
Numerous respected media outlets have concluded that “this video does not show existing technology or an existing company”. Scientists interviewed have gone no further than saying it is ‘theoretically possible’ – in other words merely a concept currently.
Furthermore, international law currently makes any such gene editing illegal. That is unlikely to end any time soon. So, again, I say, this technology is not real, is not likely to be real any time soon and would be internationally illegal if it were.
https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-concept-artificial-womb-idUSL1N33C1L5
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/01/18/fact-check-artificial-womb-facility-idea-doesnt-exist-yet-pregnancy-gestation/11041946002/
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/is-ectolife-artificial-womb-real_uk_639858a2e4b0c28146469016
https://leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2022/12/fact-check-video-of-ectolife-facility-is-not-reality-its-conceptual-presentation-of-what-future-could-hold.html
A concept is an abstract idea, and an artificial womb facility is not an abstract idea. This technology is real, and research has been ongoing for years and has yet to operate due to ethical and legal constraints. Scientists in the Netherlands are within years of developing artificial wombs that could save the lives of premature babies. Read it here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-50056405
Ecto Life cannot operate yet due to ethical and legal restrictions, but it will be if and when they are lifted (and I hope not). The filmmaker, a molecular biologist, asserted in an interview that the technology is already available, and scientists and engineers have already achieved it.
https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/13/artificial-womb-facility-is-a-glimpse-of-pregnancy-in-the-future-17926466/
https://www.indiatimes.com/explainers/news/how-will-ectolife-worlds-first-artificial-womb-facility-work-588084.html
https://jme.bmj.com/content/44/11/751
Thanks for your comments, and have a good day.
Thanks for your thought-provoking articles, Sandra. I’m more interested in the synthetic embryo than the EctoLife artificial womb facility. You wrote two articles that provoke debate.
I’m for emerging technologies, but creating synthetic embryos is a step too far because it goes beyond ethical boundaries. Thus, the right to create synthetic embryos should not have been granted to scientists. It raises ethical questions about the morality of these artificial structures and their potential consequences. Governments should set ethical limits for synthetic embryo manipulation. The long-term effects and safety must be studied carefully.
Scientists are conducting other research worldwide, and you have a right to be alarmed and write about it. Whether EctoLife is a concept, reality, or a work in progress is irrelevant. Eventually, it may happen. The artificial womb scientists are currently developing in the Netherlands, and even though it’s for a good cause, it is still scary thinking about it. We shouldn’t even entertain such an idea. Thanks for giving me an enriching evening. I’ve been pouring through countless research on both topics you covered.
Christy Nelson.
Thanks for your comment, Christy. It’s just unnerving the extent humans will go in the name of research and innovations. While some researchers are doing it for the good of humanity, others, who knows what they’re trying to achieve? There are many things to consider before this research should even be in the public domain. I’m glad you’re researching and knowing more about important things and what’s happening in research and emerging technologies, as you aptly described. I appreciate your visit and comment. Thanks again, and I hope to see you here soon. 🙂
I am not very scientific to fully comprehend this new advancement. This is like the book “Brave New World” where humans are created instead of born. I think the personalized treatment is a great result from this. Ethically, well, since Elon Musk suggested to halt the advancement of AI and develop policies around it first, maybe we could do the same for this advancement. While it is progressing, drafting and creation of policies should be started geared towards the end goal of it. What is real purpose of creating humans anyway?
I agree that ethical considerations should be the first priority in ‘scientific breakthroughs’ like this. As you wrote, we may slowly be gravitating towards ‘A Brave New World.’ However, it might be lightyears away, but researchers in the Netherlands and the United States Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia are recreating the womb for premature babies. While some of their reasons (especially for premature babies) are laudable, what about the ethical issues surrounding the outright creation of synthetic embryos? Some naysayers believe artificial womb creation may not happen yet, so we’ll wait and see.
And in answer to your question on the purpose of creating humans, I believe it’s to replenish the earth and continue our species. But the act of creating humans from the lab or facility is creepy. Thanks for your visit and comment; I appreciate it. 😊