Scientists create synthetic human embryos without need for egg or sperm

Scientists have created synthetic human embryos using stem cells – a move experts say could provide insight into causes of miscarriages and unique aspects of human development but raises ethical and legal questions (University of Cambridge/PA)

Scientists have created synthetic human embryos using stem cells – a move experts say could provide insight into causes of miscarriages and unique aspects of human development but raises ethical and legal questions.

Prof Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, from the University of Cambridge and California Institute of Technology, described fostering the embryos to a stage just beyond the equivalent of 14 days of development for a natural embryo at the International Society for Stem Cell Research’s annual meeting in Boston on Wednesday, The Guardian reported.