31
views
0
recommends
+1 Recommend
0 collections
    0
    shares
      • Record: found
      • Abstract: found
      • Article: found
      Is Open Access

      Addressing the ethical issues raised by synthetic human entities with embryo-like features

      research-article

      Read this article at

      Bookmark
          There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

          Abstract

          The "14-day rule" for embryo research stipulates that experiments with intact human embryos must not allow them to develop beyond 14 days or the appearance of the primitive streak. However, recent experiments showing that suitably cultured human pluripotent stem cells can self-organize and recapitulate embryonic features have highlighted difficulties with the 14-day rule and led to calls for its reassessment. Here we argue that these and related experiments raise more foundational issues that cannot be fixed by adjusting the 14-day rule, because the framework underlying the rule cannot adequately describe the ways by which synthetic human entities with embryo-like features (SHEEFs) might develop morally concerning features through altered forms of development. We propose that limits on research with SHEEFs be based as directly as possible on the generation of such features, and recommend that the research and bioethics communities lead a wide-ranging inquiry aimed at mapping out solutions to the ethical problems raised by them.

          DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.20674.001

          Related collections

          Most cited references50

          • Record: found
          • Abstract: found
          • Article: not found

          Self-organization of the in vitro attached human embryo.

          Implantation of the blastocyst is a developmental milestone in mammalian embryonic development. At this time, a coordinated program of lineage diversification, cell-fate specification, and morphogenetic movements establishes the generation of extra-embryonic tissues and the embryo proper, and determines the conditions for successful pregnancy and gastrulation. Despite its basic and clinical importance, this process remains mysterious in humans. Here we report the use of a novel in vitro system to study the post-implantation development of the human embryo. We unveil the self-organizing abilities and autonomy of in vitro attached human embryos. We find human-specific molecular signatures of early cell lineage, timing, and architecture. Embryos display key landmarks of normal development, including epiblast expansion, lineage segregation, bi-laminar disc formation, amniotic and yolk sac cavitation, and trophoblast diversification. Our findings highlight the species-specificity of these developmental events and provide a new understanding of early human embryonic development beyond the blastocyst stage. In addition, our study establishes a new model system relevant to early human pregnancy loss. Finally, our work will also assist in the rational design of differentiation protocols of human embryonic stem cells to specific cell types for disease modelling and cell replacement therapy.
            Bookmark
            • Record: found
            • Abstract: found
            • Article: not found

            Concerning RNA-guided gene drives for the alteration of wild populations.

            Gene drives may be capable of addressing ecological problems by altering entire populations of wild organisms, but their use has remained largely theoretical due to technical constraints. Here we consider the potential for RNA-guided gene drives based on the CRISPR nuclease Cas9 to serve as a general method for spreading altered traits through wild populations over many generations. We detail likely capabilities, discuss limitations, and provide novel precautionary strategies to control the spread of gene drives and reverse genomic changes. The ability to edit populations of sexual species would offer substantial benefits to humanity and the environment. For example, RNA-guided gene drives could potentially prevent the spread of disease, support agriculture by reversing pesticide and herbicide resistance in insects and weeds, and control damaging invasive species. However, the possibility of unwanted ecological effects and near-certainty of spread across political borders demand careful assessment of each potential application. We call for thoughtful, inclusive, and well-informed public discussions to explore the responsible use of this currently theoretical technology.
              Bookmark
              • Record: found
              • Abstract: found
              • Article: not found

              Self-organisation of the human embryo in the absence of maternal tissues

              Remodelling of the human embryo at implantation is indispensable for successful pregnancy. Yet it has remained mysterious because of the experimental hurdles that beset the study of this developmental phase. Here, we establish an in vitro system to culture human embryos through implantation stages in the absence of maternal tissues and reveal the key events of early human morphogenesis. These include segregation of the pluripotent embryonic and extra-embryonic lineages and morphogenetic re-arrangements leading to: generation of a bi-laminar disc, formation of a pro-amniotic cavity within the embryonic lineage, appearance of the prospective yolk sac, and trophoblast differentiation. Using human embryos and human pluripotent stem cells, we show that the reorganisation of the embryonic lineage is mediated by cellular polarisation leading to cavity formation. Together, our results indicate that the critical remodelling events at this stage of human development are embryo-autonomous highlighting the remarkable and unanticipated self-organising properties of human embryos.
                Bookmark

                Author and article information

                Contributors
                Role: Reviewing editor
                Journal
                eLife
                Elife
                eLife
                eLife
                eLife
                eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
                2050-084X
                21 March 2017
                2017
                : 6
                : e20674
                Affiliations
                [1 ]deptDepartment of Genetics , Harvard Medical School , Boston, United States
                [1 ]deptDepartment of Genetics , Harvard Medical School , Boston, United States
                [1 ]deptDepartment of Genetics , Harvard Medical School , Boston, United States
                [1 ]deptDepartment of Genetics , Harvard Medical School , Boston, United States
                [2 ]deptDepartment of Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen , University of Groningen , Groningen, The Netherlands
                [6]King's College London , United Kingdom
                [7]King's College London , United Kingdom
                Author notes
                Author information
                http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7111-9541
                http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5630-7947
                Article
                20674
                10.7554/eLife.20674
                5360441
                28494856
                bd556af6-311d-40b9-9c3d-3af6791f8620
                © 2017, Aach et al

                This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.

                History
                : 23 August 2016
                : 23 February 2017
                Funding
                Funded by: FundRef http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000051, National Human Genome Research Institute;
                Award ID: RM1HG008525
                Award Recipient :
                Funded by: FundRef http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000051, National Human Genome Research Institute;
                Award ID: P50HG005550
                Award Recipient :
                Funded by: European Union's Seventh Framework Programme;
                Award ID: 298698
                Award Recipient :
                The funders had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.
                Categories
                Feature Article
                Developmental Biology and Stem Cells
                Custom metadata
                2.5
                Guidelines governing research into embryos need to be updated in a way that reflects the moral status of synthetic human entities generated using the methods of synthetic biology.

                Life sciences
                embryo and stem cell ethics,14 day rule,tissue engineering
                Life sciences
                embryo and stem cell ethics, 14 day rule, tissue engineering

                Comments

                Comment on this article