Nature recently published two articles simultaneously discussing "synthetic" human embryos, which are created using stem…

Nature recently published two articles simultaneously discussing "synthetic" human embryos, which are created using stem cells and exhibit similar development patterns to real embryos.

The first article, titled "Postimplantation Human Embryo Model Derived from Pluripotent Stem Cells," was authored by researchers at Cambridge. The second article, titled "Self-replication of human stem cells into postimplantation lines," originated from Yale University.

Just two weeks ago, four different research groups released preprints on this subject, indicating that it is a cutting-edge frontier in biotechnology. However, the emergence of synthetic embryos raises ethical concerns, as they are not treated in the same manner as "true" embryos developed from eggs.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) issued a statement two days ago addressing this matter. Here's an excerpt from their statement:

"The ISSCR advises against using the term 'synthetic embryo' to describe these models, as it is both inaccurate and potentially misleading. Integrated embryo models are not truly synthetic nor embryonic. While they can replicate certain aspects of early human embryo development, they cannot and will not progress to the equivalent postnatal human stage. Moreover, the ISSCR Guidelines explicitly prohibit the transfer of any embryo model into a human or animal uterus."

The authors from Cambridge refer to these models as human embryoids. However, this attempt to distance them from the notion of human-like development does not entirely dispel doubts about their potential to develop into something resembling a human. After all, these models possess human DNA. It seems that simply playing with terminology may not be sufficient to resolve this question definitively.

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