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<P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">How long will it be
before we can reliably coax embryonic stem cells in the lab to
develop into gametes (sperm and eggs) without serious abnormalities?
This capability would be useful for embryo selection, both to produce
more eggs and thus embryos to select among, and to enable iterative
embryo selection, a technique which parents could use to
create "designer babies" with traits that range from reduced risk of
particular diseases to abilities that contribute to success in
science.
</P>
<UL>
<LI><P CLASS="western" STYLE="margin-bottom: 0in">
<B>Claim:</B>
"Based on published data and theoretical considerations, it is
probable that human eggs and sperm will be derived partly or
entirely in vitro from pluripotent stem cells. The pace of
scientific progress is difficult to predict. Unanticipated findings
can either accelerate or slow the pace of progress. With this
caveat, the derivation of human eggs and sperm in vitro from
pluripotent stem cells, in whole or at least in part, is anticipated
within 5 to 15 years." (2008)<BR>
<B>Implication:</B> The
technology is likely to arrive between 2013 and 2023.
<input type="button" onclick="loadDistribution('The Hinxton Group', 1.8325, 0.0188);" value="Load distribution"</input><BR>
<B>Source:</B>
The Hinxton Group. "Consensus Statement: Science, Ethics and
Policy "Challenges of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Gametes."
Press release.11 Apr. 2008. 9 Aug. 2008
<<U><A HREF="http://www.hinxtongroup.org/consensus_hg08_final.pdf" TARGET="_blank">http://www.hinxtongroup.org/consensus_hg08_final.pdf</A></U>>. </P>
<LI><P CLASS="western">
<B>Claim:</B>
"Based upon the expression of several key genes found in oocytes,
the team concluded that mouse embryonic stem cells were capable of
being cultured in a laboratory to develop into
gametes."<BR>
<B>Implication:</B>
Artificial mouse gametes have already been produced, since at least
2002. Artificial gametes in humans probably aren't far off.
<input type="button" onclick="loadDistribution('University of Pennsylvania', 1.8129, 0.0387);" value="Load distribution"</input><BR>
<B>Source:</B>
"Development of Gametes from Embryonic Stem Cells."
Medical News Today. 19 Oct. 2005. Retrieved 9 Aug. 2008.
<<U><A HREF="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/32262.php" TARGET="_blank">http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/32262.php</A></U>>.
</P>
<LI><P CLASS="western">
<B>Claim:</B>
"So far,
artificial sperm has only been used to create pregnancies in mice:
the resulting offspring did not survive long, succumbing to genetic
abnormalities."<BR>
<B>Implication:</B>
If artificial gametes techniques are to be applied to humans, they
will need to be refined to avoid damage to the resulting embryos.<BR>
<B>Source:</B>
"'Limit' to lab egg and sperm use." BBC News Online. 14 April
2008. <<U><A HREF="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7346535.stm" TARGET="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7346535.stm</A></U>></P>
<LI><P CLASS="western">
<B>Claim:</B>
"Scientists in the UK have proved that human embryonic stem cells
can develop in the laboratory into the early forms of cells that
eventually become eggs or sperm. However, Mr. Aflatoonian stressed
that there was still a lot of work to be done before the promise of
these early results could be translated into reality."
(2005)<BR>
<B>Implication:</B>
Artificial human gametes are on the way, but not immediately.
<input type="button" onclick="loadDistribution('Mason', 1.8451, 0.0326);" value="Load distribution"</input><BR>
<B>Source:</B>
Mason, Emma. "Human embryonic stem cells have the potential to
develop into eggs and sperm in the laboratory." EurekAlert. 19
June 2005.
<<U><A HREF="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-06/esfh-hes061705.php" TARGET="_blank">http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-06/esfh-hes061705.php</A></U>>.
</P>
</UL>
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