Context:
Scientists have grown an entity that closely resembles an early human embryo, without using sperm, eggs or a womb.
More about the study:
- The research was carried out at the Weizmann Institute in Israel.
- They produced embryo models up to 14 days old, which is the legal limit for human embryo lab research in many countries, and the point at which organs like the brain begin to develop.
- The models should not be considered human embryos – The structure highly resembles, but is not identical, to the in utero situation.
- Researchers in Israel utilized stem cells and chemical components.
Importance of Embryo Models:
- Understanding early stages of embryo development is crucial as most miscarriages and birth defects occur during this period.
- Aids in the comprehension of genetic and hereditary diseases.
- Can enhance in vitro fertilization success rates.
- Enable the study of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences on embryo development.
- They facilitate the investigation of genetic defects and the development of potential genetic therapies.
Epigenetics (epigenomics) is a field of study focused on changes in DNA that do not involve alterations to the underlying sequence. The DNA letters and the proteins that interact with DNA can have chemical modifications that change the degrees to which genes are turned on and off. Certain epigenetic modifications may be passed on from parent cell to daughter cell during cell division or from one generation to the next.
Source: The Hindu
Read more about stem cells and stem cell therapy
Previous year question
With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species.
(b) Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories.
(c) A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory.
(d) Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes
Answer: (a)
