Lab-grown children are on the horizon — a new company is set to grow human sperm and eggs in a lab
Lab-grown children are on the horizon — a new company is set to grow human sperm and eggs in a lab.
In 10 years, they say sex will no longer be needed for reproduction.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) recently revealed that researchers are close to growing human eggs and sperm in a lab — a technique known as in vitro gametogenesis (IVG).
This innovation could enable same-sex couples, individuals with fertility issues, and even multi-partnered relationships to conceive children using lab-grown gametes.
While the process has been successful in mice, experts predict human applications could be viable within the next decade.
However, questions around safety, ethics, and regulation remain key concerns.
The ability to create embryos from lab-grown sperm and eggs raises the potential for genetic screening, prompting concerns about the possibility of designer babies.
Some fear a future akin to the dystopian film Gattaca, where genetic selection dictates a child’s future.
Yet, supporters highlight the immense benefits, from eliminating donor dependence to expanding reproductive options.
As science inches closer to making lab-grown babies a reality, society must navigate the moral and ethical complexities of this revolutionary technology.