Lab-Grown Sperm, Eggs A Fertility Option Within 10 Years; 'Designer Babies' Sparks Ethical Concerns

In a groundbreaking development, advancements in reproductive technology are edging closer to the creation of lab-grown sperm and eggs, a scientific breakthrough that could reshape fertility treatments and genetic research.

This innovation, known as in-vitro gametogenesis (IVG), could transform fertility treatments and genetic research, offering hope to individuals and couples unable to conceive. However, it also raises complex ethical and medical questions.

IVG involves generating eggs and sperm from skin or stem cells, allowing individuals to produce their own gametes regardless of age or biological limitations. It could provide solutions for infertility, enable same-sex couples to have biological children, and eliminate the need for donor sperm or eggs.

The UK’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) predicts this technology could be viable within the next decade.

"Once IVGs can be created, they would need to be validated, and then tested for safety and efficacy. To date, reproductive in vitro gametogenesis has been achieved only in mice, but not yet in non-human primates," HFEA wrote in its January 22, 2025 authority meeting record.

Despite its promise, IVG raises ethical challenges. The prospect of genetic customization, or “designer babies,” has sparked concerns about societal inequality and the misuse of technology, The Guardian noted.

Additionally, creating gametes from a single individual for “solo parenting”--creating the egg and the sperm from the same individual--could lead to increased genetic risks.

A 2023 report by NPR highlighted the potential of IVG to revolutionize fertility treatments but emphasized the need for strict regulations. Experts warn that without oversight, the technology could lead to unintended consequences.

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