“Scientists in Oregon turned human skin cells into viable eggs by transplanting their nuclei into donor eggs. While only a small share developed correctly, the technique could eventually create new reproductive options for infertile women,” reports The Doomslayer.
The Guardian reports:
Researchers have created human eggs from skin cells, potentially transforming IVF treatment for couples who have no other options.
The work is at an early stage but if scientists can perfect the process it would provide genetically related eggs for women who are infertile because of older age, illness or medical treatment. The same procedure could be used to make eggs for same-sex male couples.
“The largest group of patients who might benefit would be women of advanced maternal age,” said Prof Shoukhrat Mitalipov, who led the research at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. “Another group are those who have been through chemotherapy because that can affect their ability to have viable eggs.”
While women are expected to be the primary beneficiaries, skin cells used to make the eggs need not come from potential mothers. “We used female skin cells in this study, but you could use skin cells from males as well,” Mitalipov told the Guardian. “You could make eggs for men, and that way, of course, this would be applicable to same-sex couples.”
A genetically-modified chicken lays eggs that people allergic to eggs can eat. Scientists have genetically engineered a cow that produces human insulin in its milk.
Genetic engineering recently produced pork that people who are allergic to pork can eat.
An English toddler has had her hearing restored in a pioneering gene therapy trial.
Scientists have created a woolly mouse while working to recreate the extinct woolly mammoth.
