Scientists discover new way to fertilise eggs in major pregnancy breakthrough
Skin cell breakthrough offers new hope for infertility patients
- Scientists have discovered a method to fertilise eggs created from human skin cells, marking a significant advance in in vitro gametogenesis (IVG).
- The process involves reprogramming skin cells into stem cells and utilising a novel technique called 'mitomeiosis' to correct chromosome numbers, mimicking natural cell division.
- Researchers successfully created 82 functional oocytes, with 92 per cent of these fertilised eggs developing to the blastocyst stage in laboratory settings.
- The breakthrough offers immense potential for individuals experiencing infertility or recurrent miscarriage, potentially enabling the creation of egg or sperm-like cells for those with no other options.
- Experts emphasise that while promising, the research is in its early stages, requiring further development and careful consideration of safety concerns before clinical application.