Stem cell therapy may revolutionize reproduction as we know it. The possibility of coaxing human skin cells into functional eggs and sperm using a technique known as ‘in vitro gametogenesis’ has sparked discussions about the future of reproduction.

The concept of in vitro gametogenesis involves creating eggs and sperm outside the human body from skin cells. This raises the potential for a man’s skin cell to be transformed into an egg and a woman’s skin cell into a sperm, leading to the prospect of children having multiple genetically-related parents, or only one.

While some scientists believe that human applications of in vitro gametogenesis are still a long way off, others are actively working on overcoming the barriers. New biotechnology start-ups are also seeking to commercialize this technology.

Is The Technology Available?

In vitro gametogenesis relies on pluripotent stem cells, which have the potential to develop into various cell types. Scientists aim to guide these stem cells to become eggs or sperm. While early embryos have been a source of these stem cells, researchers have also succeeded in reverting adult cells to a pluripotent state, paving the way for the creation of eggs or sperm from existing adult cells.

Promising animal studies have been conducted, including the creation of live-born baby mice from eggs derived from skin cells. More recently, the technique has been used to enable same-sex reproduction, resulting in mouse pups with two genetic fathers and two genetic mothers.

Despite these advancements, scientists have not yet adapted these techniques to create human gametes. The legal and regulatory frameworks in many countries, such as Australia, have not addressed the potential use of this technology.

The rapid development of this science calls for discussions on how to regulate the technology before it becomes widely available. The ethical and societal implications of in vitro gametogenesis must be considered as we move forward.