Lab models of human embryos raise hopes and concerns
CNNOCT 2023
Scientists Create Lab-Grown Blood Cells Using 'Hematoids'
Above: An image of a cell containing blood cells. Image copyright: Unsplash
The Spin
Techno-optimist narrative
This technology demonstrates the practical medical benefits of embryo-like research by successfully creating blood stem cells for potential transplants and disease treatment. These self-organizing structures produce visible blood cells and could revolutionize personalized medicine by generating compatible blood from any patient's cells. The research is subject to strict ethical oversight and signifies genuine therapeutic progress.
Techno-skeptic narrative
This chilling advance in creating synthetic human embryo models that generate blood cells blurs the sacred line between science and creation, evoking "playing God" fears. Ethically fraught, it risks devaluing nascent life, invites misuse beyond the 14-day limit and demands urgent global regulations to prevent a slippery slope toward unregulated human experimentation and moral erosion.
Metaculus Prediction
Editor's Note
This story currently has limited reporting from right-leaning sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.