Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HUMAN GROWN IN LAB
UK team’s world-first research identifies ‘blueprint’ of species
SCIENTISTS have grown an early human embryo in a lab – the first time it has ever been done.
A Cambridge university team have been able to study what is known as the “black box” period of initial development to identify the “blueprint of a human”.
Researchers extracted stem cells from another embryo and saw the first stages of growth.
The world-first procedure could reveal the causes of birth defects and diseases which originate during this period.
Many could be linked to alcohol consumption, medication, chemicals and infections.
Until now this procedure had only been done with animal embryos as growing an early human embryo is not permitted under medical ethics rules.
Using a loophole in UK legislation, they grew embryos without the cells needed to form the brain – so in theory it could never develop into a live human.
The findings, published today, could also shed light on many issues such as infertility, miscarriage and genetic disorders.
Around one in every 45 babies born in England and Wales suffers a birth defect.
The university’s Prof Magdalena Zernicka-goetz, said: “This gives us access to the processes that go awry in diseases when the embryo is three weeks old.”
SOME could say Amanda Holden sailed a bit close to the wind as she braved blustery weather on her way home from work.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge and Heart radio presenter, 49, turned heads in Central London in a chic dress. She finished off the look with a Louis Vuitton clutch bag.