Laboratory-Created Human Eggs May Be the Future of Reproduction

According to the Popsci website, the first human eggs grown from stem cells could be fertilized with sperm later this year. The process would be a revolution in fertility treatment for women, taking yet another step in reproductive evolution.

In this case, a potential mother would not even have to donate her eggs, but could transform her stem cells by an infinite loop, making them form somatic cells, later transformed into embryos, and then withdrawing her stem cells and and so on, creating a whole new reproductive system.

The project began with a study involving stem cell uptake of Japanese women who had undergone sex change surgery. Massachusetts researchers induced the ovarian stem cells to become immature human eggs. Subsequently, they were incubated in rats only so that their structure was properly formed. Now, in conjunction with a research group at the University of Edinburgh, the same team is considering continuing work on fertilizing the ovaries.

Following fertilization with sperm, scientists expect embryos to begin forming within about two weeks - the law's limit - to determine whether further research is feasible or not. After the period, the embryos can be frozen.

With the tests, scientists hope to validate “stem cells” derived from human cells, more properly called oocytes, as an indicator that the system can be used in the future to eradicate infertility.

As research progressed, it would be entirely feasible for menopausal women or infertile women to have children. For the British newspaper Independent, the research is so important that it completely revolutionizes human reproduction, even mentioning a kind of "youth elixir" that can keep women of all ages healthy and fertile.

The research still faces some obstacles to its continuation, as the team of scientists is still seeking permission from the UK government to finally fertilize the eggs, but this is expected to happen later this year.