By Steven Witkin ’16

Stem cells have made headlines recently in all sorts of medical innovations. The rare cells, which are able to develop into many types of specialized cells, have shown potential to transform into reproductive cells. Stem cells are already controversial, but the possibility of using these cells to create “manufactured” genetic combinations will have great implications, and will create much greater controversy. Future developments could open the possibility for same-sex couples or even an individual to have their own biological children.

As of right now, full use of this breakthrough is likely decades away. Labs have only been able to trigger stem cells to produce primordial germ cells (PGCs), cells normally developed in an embryo which carry genetic information and go on to form sperm and egg cells. This trigger, found by University of Cambridge scientists, is a protein called SOX17.

Although they are on their way, scientists have not been able to develop reproductive cells out of PGCs. The task of getting human stem cells is difficult, as they can only be obtained by extracting an already-fertilized embryo, or by drilling for bone marrow. The only option for males, however, is the latter. Even after reproductive cells are produced in laboratories, there will be thorough and lengthy testing on other animals, likely rodents, to ensure that this method is safe and reliable. The prospect of making viable reproductive cells, egg or sperm, out of any human is still remotely futuristic.

Already since the development’s publication in late 2014 there has been a wide range of excitement, criticism and hesitance about its possible ramifications. It could mark the dawning of a completely alternative way of having genetic children. Infertile people could have children without the genes of a surrogate. If sperm and egg could be made out of the stem cells of one sex, then gay and lesbian couples could theoretically create with their own biological children. Perhaps a single person could clone themselves with their own cells, something straight out of science fiction. Many people have decried these possibilities as “playing with God,” while gay communities and interested scientists have called for more in-depth research in the area.

Predictions for further development of this process range from as early as 2017 to much farther in the future. Even if it were to become possible, it is not known exactly how long it would take to transform stem cells into working sperm and egg, and the cost to do so would initially be out of reach of many. The biggest foreseeable hurdle for such an artificial method is whether it would be viewed as ethically acceptable. If predicted developments follow, this method could be the start of something that completely changes reproduction as we know it.