Picture this: scientists have found a way to transform human skin cells into functional eggs in a lab. 🥚🔬 It's a bold move that could change the game for infertility! Researchers removed the nucleus from a skin cell and inserted it into an egg cell stripped of its own nucleus. This new trick, named mitomeiosis, mimics nature’s way of discarding extra chromosomes, leaving behind a perfect set of 23 for healthy development.
So far, researchers fertilized 82 of these lab-made eggs with sperm. About 9% grew into blastocysts (those 70–200 cell embryos used in IVF), but none advanced past that stage. Most stopped at 4–8 cells or showed chromosome glitches. 🚧
Experts say this is just the start. The low success rates and safety puzzles mean real-world use is at least a decade away. ⏳ Still, it’s a huge leap in understanding infertility and could one day help many people have their own genetic kids. 🌱👶
Next up? More lab tests, safety checks, and maybe future trials – all while we watch this science drama unfold! 🍿
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
