Short Wave The International Race To Create Human Eggs And Sperm In The Lab
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Nov 29, 2023 Rob Stein, NPR science correspondent, dives into the groundbreaking field of in vitro gametogenesis (IVG). He discusses how researchers are trying to create artificial sperm and eggs from any human cell, opening doors for anyone, including older and LGBTQ+ individuals, to have genetically related children. The conversation highlights the fierce global competition between Japan and the U.S. in creating artificial human embryos. Ethical concerns surrounding genetic manipulation and the potential for 'biologically superior' individuals are also put under the microscope.
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IVG: IVF 2.0
- IVG, or in vitro gametogenesis, goes beyond traditional IVF.
- It creates artificial sperm and eggs from any body cell, potentially eliminating biological clock constraints.
Pioneering IVG
- Katsuhiko Hayashi pioneered IVG, creating mouse eggs from skin cells.
- He then used these artificial eggs to breed healthy baby mice, sparking global research.
Human IVG Progress
- Minori Saito created primitive human eggs from human cells.
- He is now working on maturing these eggs, a process estimated to take 5-10 years.