Where is the limit?

Have you heard “Synthetic Embroys”? Most likely not. It is basically an artificial human embryo that can be created automatically from stem cells by their self-organizing into structure that mimic embryos. This is another scientific finding that may potential open the door to create a human baby in the lab without a sperm and egg, following the sheep cloning 2 decades ago.  Just difficult to imagine what the world will look like if this really happens down the road! There are simply too many unanswered moral and ethical questions in this front. You may read more detail here with videos. It is fascinating to watch.

 

Now putting aside the ethical questions, one thing I think is very likely emerging from this new technology is to develop human organs if the technology can be further developed that can be well and appropriately controlled. After all, there is a huge demand for organ transplantation but the supply is vastly in shortage. I won’t be surprised to see some new biotech companies created by using the technology for developing human organs. I hope this is the direction it will go to solve an urgent unmet medical need facing the world. I can see a path way for it similar to CRISPR, a technology that can edit human genes and maybe used for treating genetic diseases. There are already many biotech companies created in this area and the most promising one is probably Editas (EDIT). It is beyond me to see where the boundary is for both of the technologies as either of them may be harmful if not used appropriately. Nevertheless, I sincerely hope we human beings have enough wisdom to surround their potential harms but pursue their good benefits!