What if stem cells turn into embryos in a dish?

Nat Methods. 2015 Oct;12(10):917-9. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.3586.

Abstract

Recent studies show that pluripotent stem cells can undergo self-organized development in vitro into structures that mimic the body plan of the post-implantation embryo. Modeling human embryogenesis in a dish opens up new possibilities for the study of early development and developmental disorders, but it may also raise substantial ethical concerns.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Embryo Research / ethics*
  • Embryo Research / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Embryo, Mammalian / cytology*
  • Embryo, Mammalian / physiology
  • Gastrula / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / physiology*