Researchers created fully synthetic embryos.
Researchers at Weitzmann Scientific Institute created human embryos from stem cells without sperm and eggs. That kind of thing is a breakthrough in genetic research. The ability to create a human embryo from stem cells is one of the most interesting things in the world of cloning and genetic research. The "virgin born" embryo is the thing that causes very interesting thoughts about abilities to use that technology in positive and negative things.
The Weizmann-institute embryos are similar to all other embryos. And that means somebody can "steal" one of those embryos and then use that embryo for artificial insemination. Artificial embryos are meant for cancer and other types of research. But maybe some people think that those embryos offer the possibility to make artificial people for some purposes that we cannot even imagine.
Normally, when we think about genetic engineering and super soldiers that serve in the clone army we think of the system, where the blastula-stage embryo will split in two parts. Then the other one will be put in the freezer into liquid nitrogen. The other part of that sliptted embryo will grow as normal people. Then if that person does the duties well, the system can turn also another part of the embryo into life. There could be different groups of those embryos, and the system selects the best of the best.
That kind of thing is interesting but at the same time frightening vision about things like the military. The ability to create a fully synthetic embryo means the ability to create a fully synthetic person. Those kinds of people have no connections with their parents. In some visions, the first people who will colonize the solar system and travel out from our planetary systems are that kind of clone.
Technology that the Weizmann Institute used in that operation can also be used to make immortal crews for interstellar flights. The immortal crew means that all crew members will cloned, and then the system transfers their memories to those clones.
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66715669
https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/science-and-future/worlds-first-synthetic-embryos-576474.html
https://www.reuters.com/science/israeli-scientists-create-model-human-embryo-without-eggs-or-sperm-2023-09-07/
Comments
Post a Comment