Stem cells from mice were used by researchers at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel, to create early embryo-like components such as a digestive tract, a beating heart, and the beginnings of a brain. Because they weren’t created from a fertilized egg, the embryos are referred to as “synthetic,” although preliminary research indicates that they resemble natural embryos quite a bit.

“Remarkably, we show that embryonic stem cells generate whole synthetic embryos, meaning this includes the placenta and yolk sac surrounding the embryo,” said Dr. Jacob Hanna, who headed the study. “We are truly excited about this work and its implications.”

This discovery, according to researchers, may provide an alternative to animal testing and open the door to fresh stem cell development for human transplants. For example, skin cells could be converted into bone marrow stem cells to assist in the treatment of leukemia patients. Because of the high demand for donated organs and the immune system’s innate tendency to attack foreign cells, individuals who are already compromised must take immunosuppressant medications after receiving an organ transplant. Growing tissues from a patient’s DNA could avoid many of the compatibility problems that currently plague transplants and dramatically expand the treatment’s accessibility.

I do think that at some point, the technology that we will have will enable humans to live much longer than what we do now. I think that it will be reasonable to live for 200 years or more. I wish that technology would happen sooner rather than later because I sure would like a couple hundred years of life. Most people aren’t too excited about their own death.

But this technology and similar technologies that currently exist could not only extend life, but cure disease. Who knows what sort of diseases could be cured. We may even be able to reverse something like Down Syndrome. Some people may not want that, but some would and I think having that option is a good thing. Those with Down Syndrome tend to live shorter lives than other people so extending their lives in some way would be a good thing.

I think that the future is looking bright in this regard.

Sources:
Daily Wire