Scientists Advance Towards Making IVF Eggs From Skin Cells

• Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have documented the development of the ability to turn a skin cell into an egg capable of producing viable embryos. EurekAlert!
• Scientists, led by Mitinori Saitou, combined eggs made from a male mouse's skin cells and mouse sperm to create embryos, which were later implanted in the wombs of female mice. Researchers are working on developing a way to use these technologies in humans. The Times of Israel
• Dr. Shoukhrat Mitalipov, the senior author of the study — which was published in the journal Science Advances on Friday — said the ultimate goal of the research is to "produce eggs for patients who don’t have their own eggs." EurekAlert!
• These techniques could help women experiencing infertility due to advanced maternal age, cancer, or other causes, as well as aid same-sex couples who want their child to be genetically related to both parents. www.sciencedaily.com
• Although researchers are studying the application of the procedure in human eggs and early embryos, it will likely be at least a decade before it's deemed safe and effective in humans. News

Narrative A:

• This is a potential game changer in reproductive science. This still-developing technology likely has a long road before it's approved for usage in humans, but the science is promising and the impact on individuals facing infertility could be tremendous.
  GUARDIAN (LR: 2 CP: 5)

Narrative B:

• Infertility can be upsetting for many couples, who often turn to emerging reproductive technologies, but many of these processes have ethical implications. Most concerning is the fact that many human embryos will be created for the sole purpose of experimentation and then destroyed.
  USCCB

Nerd narrative:

• There's a 50% chance that the first cloned human will be born by July 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
  METACULUS (LR: 3 CP: 3)