Almost 50 years after in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) brought science fiction to family planning, in-vitro gametes could be on the brink of viability. Lab-grown eggs and sperm could be a significant milestone in humans’ conquest of nature and biology.
According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) board, lab-grown eggs and sperm have progressed so rapidly that they could be a reality within a decade.
In-vitro gametes are genetically reprogrammed embryonic stem cells or skin cells in a process called in-vitro gametogenesis, which results in viable eggs and sperm that can then become embryos. The advance in fertilisation technology could be the birth of a new age for biological parenting as IVGs could allow for the possibility of older, multiple or same-sex parents.
Researchers in Japan have led significant developments in the field of in-vitro gametes, having created the first functional female eggs from reprogrammed mouse skin cells. Following IVF using these egg cells, a healthy baby mouse was born. In March 2023, Professor Katsuhiko Hayashi, one of the lead Japanese researchers, announced the successful creation of mice with two biological fathers.
However, the advancement opens the door to a myriad ethical issues. In the event that the sperm and egg cells were created from the same person, the risks of genetic disorders increase significantly, described as ‘the complete extreme of incest’.
There are also ethical concerns that the ability to create large quantities of embryos in a laboratory and, therefore, screen extensively for genetic traits could lead to eugenics. This is relevant to countries with less stringent laws surrounding genetic engineering, as scientists may be encouraged to select desirable traits.
Currently, UK law prohibits the clinical use of IVGs and future generations must be taken into account when considering their safety.