This could be a huge development, both scientifically and ethically. A report published in Nature Cell Biology reports that scientists have made mature eggs from ovarian stem cells, and then fertilized the eggs, resulting in live births. From the study (no link, 12 April 2009):
The idea that females of most mammalian species have lost the capacity for oocyte production at birth has been challenged recently by the finding that juvenile and adult mouse ovaries possess mitotically active germ cells6. However, the existence of female germline stem cells (FGSCs) in postnatal mammalian ovaries still remains a controversial issue among reproductive biologists and stem cell researchers. We have now established a neonatal mouse FGSC line, with normal karyotype and high telomerase activity, by immunomagnetic isolation and culture for more than 15 months. FGSCs from adult mice were isolated and cultured for more than 6 months. These FGSCs were infected with GFP virus and transplanted into ovaries of infertile mice. Transplanted cells underwent oogenesis and the mice produced offspring that had the GFP transgene. These findings contribute to basic research into oogenesis and stem cell self-renewal and open up new possibilities for use of FGSCs in biotechnology and medicine.
Translation: If this is also true of human women–a big if–it could lead to a technique to obtain millions of eggs. This in turn, would make cloning research more doable, with scientists potentially making thousands and thousands of cloned human embryos for use and destruction in research, meaning that all the brave new world dreams of the most radical bioethicists and bio-scientists about learning how to genetically engineer the human race, engage in fetal farming, and allow reproductive cloning could come true. And given that we have demonstrated almost no willingness to put any meaningful ethical parameters around currently doable research, it strikes me that this breakthrough could result in a free fall off a vertical moral cliff.
September 2nd, 2009 | 12:55 pm
Your last sentence, Wesley, is the “whammy” for me. I believe there ARE NO ethical parameters wanted by the “madscientists” (as opposed to “scientists”) as they pursue in-the-moment-focused experimentation with not one iota of thought for the negative potential of the mushroom cloud creation they’ve embarked upon.
And, you are right, it is a “…BIG IF…” At the very least, might they consider the ROI (return on investment) ratio?
Thanks for all you do! Keep up the great work. ~Cyndie
September 2nd, 2009 | 3:27 pm
Ethical morality has been in a free fall for the last 100 years . The only deterrent against complete collapse was the fact that Science had not advanced to the point you are highlighting in this article Wesley. I love the search for Scientific advancement but I fear the morally bankrupt choices that will be unlocked & the darkness that will fall upon our Souls. The ethics of the human race will pale in comparison to the base animals who will continue to live amoral lives while we humans diminish our morality in such clone farming. Morally for me, I prefer that Binky the lab rat be used rather then some human clone for medical research.
September 2nd, 2009 | 3:28 pm
[...] brave new world horrors that await from the full development and exploitation of that technology. More details over at Secondhand Smoke. Comments [...]
September 2nd, 2009 | 3:29 pm
Just read an interesting blurb in Scientific American about the DNA splicing gone awry at the University of Pennsylvania and the implications for the latest technolgical miracles, of which stem cell research was cited.
Several years ago in the Hasting Society review, I read an interesting article on the ethical issues of Xenotransplant Technology. The ethics issue is when you introduce foreign substances into a species, you can never know if there may be the latent introduction of a problem which will create future havoc.
Remember Frankenstein was not the monster. he was the creator.
September 3rd, 2009 | 5:33 pm
Speak for yourself, I have demonstrated plenty of willingness to put meaningful ethical parameters around currently doable research, as have many others. We have been pushing for a law to prohibit the conception of humans by any method other than the joining of an egg of a woman and a sperm of a man. What do you propose to stop “all the brave new world dreams of the most radical bioethicists and bio-scientists about learning how to genetically engineer the human race, engage in fetal farming, and allow reproductive cloning”?
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