Exclusive: In-vitro gametes are viewed as the holy grail of fertility research

Exclusive: In-vitro gametes are viewed as the holy grail of fertility research

  • workerONE@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    2 days ago

    "Mass-producing eggs and sperm in a laboratory in order to have a baby with yourself or three other people in a “multiplex” parenting arrangement might sound like the plot of a dystopian novel.

    But these startling scenarios are under consideration by the UK’s fertility watchdog, which has concluded that the technology could be on the brink of viability."

    That’s weird

  • Wahots@pawb.socialEnglish
    51·
    2 days ago

    This honestly sounds really interesting for same-sex families. I hope this technology works out sooner rather than later. It would be really nice to potentially have a fully biological family like straight couples :)

    (And it might eventually be way less expensive than adopting donor eggs/sperm)

  • Zip2@feddit.ukEnglish
    4·
    2 days ago

    Does anyone know if having a baby with yourself carries the same genetic risks as breeding with first cousins?

    • Xavienth@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
      5·
      2 days ago

      iirc the main issue with familial reproduction is that, since families are likely to share much of the same genes, they are likely to share much of the same recessive genes. Invisible in individuals with just one copy, the union of two such individuals can create an individual with two copies, which means the trait is expressed.

      If it is cloning, that is fine, but if it remixes the DNA, It could potentially cause expression of recessive traits? I think?

    • allywilson@lemmy.mlEnglish
      1·
      2 days ago

      Good question. I thought it would be more like having a clone of yourself, but maybe that’s the same issue? Copy of a copy?