Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Scientists are currently limited to stopping human embryo growth at 14 days, but now, the International Society for Stem Cell Research wants to rethink that limit. What now?
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The internationally recognized limit for how long a human embryo can be grown in a lab is 14 days. But in light of advancements that may now make it possible to culture embryos beyond 14 days, scientists and ethicists are discussing: should growing human embryos in a lab beyond this limit be allowed?
The existing 14-day limit on lab-mediated human embryo development was suggested after the first IVF babies were born in the 1970s.
And until recently we didn’t even know HOW to keep human embryos or something similar alive in the lab longer than nine days, so this wasn’t really a pressing question.
But 2016 was the year that a couple research teams got all the way to 13 days. And ever since, the scientific community has been grappling with how to deal with these advances in the face of the limit...or if the limit should be changed altogether.
#14DayRule #bioethics #science #seeker #elements
This is How Your Body Makes New Cells- youtu.be/cJZkZNKB7KQ
Read More:
International Society for Stem Cell Research Updated Guidelines
isscr.org/policy/guidelines-for-stem-cell-research-and-clinical-translation
Limit on lab-grown human embryos dropped by stem-cell body
nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01423-y
"The ISSCR made this change and others to its guidelines for biomedical research in response to rapid advances in the field, including the ability to create embryo-like structures from human stem cells. In addition to relaxing the ‘14-day rule’, for instance, the group advises against editing genes in human embryos until the safety of genome editing is better established."
What is IVF?
mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716
"During IVF, mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from ovaries and fertilized in a lab. Then the fertilized egg (embryo) or eggs (embryos) are transferred to a womb. One full cycle of IVF takes about three weeks. Sometimes these steps are split into different parts and the process can take longer."
____________________
Elements is more than just a science show. It’s your science-loving best friend, tasked with keeping you updated and interested in all the compelling, innovative, and groundbreaking science happening all around us. Join our passionate hosts as they help break down and present fascinating science, from quarks to quantum theory and beyond.
Seeker empowers the curious to understand the science shaping our world. We tell award-winning stories about the natural forces and groundbreaking innovations that impact our lives, our planet, and our universe.
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Scientists are currently limited to stopping human embryo growth at 14 days, but now, the International Society for Stem Cell Research wants to rethink that limit. What now?
» Subscribe to Seeker! bit.ly/subscribeseeker
» Watch more Elements! bit.ly/ElementsPlaylist
» Visit our shop at shop.seeker.com
The internationally recognized limit for how long a human embryo can be grown in a lab is 14 days. But in light of advancements that may now make it possible to culture embryos beyond 14 days, scientists and ethicists are discussing: should growing human embryos in a lab beyond this limit be allowed?
The existing 14-day limit on lab-mediated human embryo development was suggested after the first IVF babies were born in the 1970s.
And until recently we didn’t even know HOW to keep human embryos or something similar alive in the lab longer than nine days, so this wasn’t really a pressing question.
But 2016 was the year that a couple research teams got all the way to 13 days. And ever since, the scientific community has been grappling with how to deal with these advances in the face of the limit...or if the limit should be changed altogether.
#14DayRule #bioethics #science #seeker #elements
This is How Your Body Makes New Cells- youtu.be/cJZkZNKB7KQ
Read More:
International Society for Stem Cell Research Updated Guidelines
isscr.org/policy/guidelines-for-stem-cell-research-and-clinical-translation
Limit on lab-grown human embryos dropped by stem-cell body
nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01423-y
"The ISSCR made this change and others to its guidelines for biomedical research in response to rapid advances in the field, including the ability to create embryo-like structures from human stem cells. In addition to relaxing the ‘14-day rule’, for instance, the group advises against editing genes in human embryos until the safety of genome editing is better established."
What is IVF?
mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716
"During IVF, mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from ovaries and fertilized in a lab. Then the fertilized egg (embryo) or eggs (embryos) are transferred to a womb. One full cycle of IVF takes about three weeks. Sometimes these steps are split into different parts and the process can take longer."
____________________
Elements is more than just a science show. It’s your science-loving best friend, tasked with keeping you updated and interested in all the compelling, innovative, and groundbreaking science happening all around us. Join our passionate hosts as they help break down and present fascinating science, from quarks to quantum theory and beyond.
Seeker empowers the curious to understand the science shaping our world. We tell award-winning stories about the natural forces and groundbreaking innovations that impact our lives, our planet, and our universe.
Visit the Seeker website seeker.com/videos
Elements on Facebook facebook.com/SeekerElements
Subscribe now! youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=dnewschannel
Seeker on Twitter twitter.com/seeker
Seeker on Facebook facebook.com/SeekerMedia
Seeker seeker.com
