NCER Update
by: Carol Szczepaniak
Date:5-12-21
Mammalian embryos have been grown outside of a womb. The implications are chilling.
For the first time in Developmental Biology, a mammalian (mouse) embryo has been observed as it developed through half of its gestation period (11 weeks) while outside a natural womb. Using an intricate artificial placenta that provided oxygen and controlled atmospheric pressure, researchers in Israel successfully documented the formation of germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm), tissues and organs.
If future research is successful and the embryos develop to full term outside a uterus, the next goal is to use the technique on human embryos. The initial inspiration for this research was to gain knowledge for prevention of spontaneous miscarriages. However, this technique could easily lead to human fetal organ harvesting and “parentless” full term human children, according to Sanford physician, William Hurlbut.
Unfortunately, many scientists see the medical benefits of this progression as outweighing the risks for humanity. NCER holds that if these goals are accomplished, the knowledge and techniques will ultimately be abused. Future generations will be at grave risk from either cultural expectations or worse, governmental demands.
Links for more details
https://phys.org/news/2021-03-advanced-mouse-embryos-grown-uterus.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03416-3