Unlimited number of such soldiers is based on properties of human embryonic stem cells.
"Israeli researchers create embryo-like structures from human cells.
Scientists in Israel have managed to grow embryo-like structures from human cells for research without using eggs and sperm. The team led by the Palestinian scientist Jacob Hanna from the Israeli Weizmann Institute published a study on this in the journal 'Nature' on Wednesday.
Hanna and his colleagues had already published so-called pre-print studies on the embryo-like structures they created earlier this year. However, unlike the “Nature” study that has now been published, these results were not checked by independent scientists in the so-called peer review process. Some experts now spoke of an “impressive” research success.
The research team says it caused human embryonic stem cells to self-assemble to resemble a human embryo. These model embryos were grown for up to 14 days. This is the legal limit for research on a human embryo in many countries. At around 14 days of age, the brain and organs begin to develop.
Closer resemblance to human embryos
In their study, the research team emphasizes that their method differs significantly from those of other stem cell researchers. Accordingly, the embryonic stem cells are modified chemically and not genetically. The resulting structures more closely resembled real human embryos and also developed a yolk sac and amniotic cavity.
The embryo-like structures "closely resemble the situation in the uterus, but are not identical," Briscoe explained. In addition, the success rate in growing the structures is low. In only a small percentage of cases do the stem cells arrange themselves correctly.
Stem cell expert Darius Widera from Britain's University of Reading explained that unlike previous experiments, the embryo-like structures now developed had "most of the cell types found in developing embryos."
According to Widera, the study shows "that the models of human embryos are becoming increasingly sophisticated and closer to the processes involved in normal development." But this also means that “a robust regulatory framework is needed more urgently than ever” in embryo research. In addition to the respective national laws, most scientists in the research area voluntarily set their own limits for ethical reasons." [1]
1. Embryonenähnliche Strukturen ohne Ei- und Samenzellen
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (online)Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH. Sep 7, 2023.