Fueled by investments from Silicon Valley, scientists are making such remarkable strides that lab-grown human eggs and sperm could become a reality within the next decade, according to a recent meeting of the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) board. In-vitro gametes (IVGs), which are eggs or sperm created in the lab from genetically reprogrammed skin or stem cells, are seen as the pinnacle of fertility research. This groundbreaking technology promises to eliminate age-related barriers to conception and could enable same-sex couples to have biological children together. However, it also introduces unprecedented medical and ethical challenges that the HFEA now believes should be carefully considered in a proposed revision of fertility laws.
Peter Thompson, chief executive of the HFEA, stated, “In-vitro gametes have the potential to significantly increase the availability of human sperm and eggs for research and, if proven safe, effective, and publicly acceptable, could offer new fertility treatment options for men with low sperm counts and women with low ovarian reserves.” The technology also hints at more radical possibilities, such as “solo parenting” and “multiplex parenting.” Julia Chain, chair of HFEA, humorously remarked, “It feels like we ought to have Steven Spielberg on this committee,” during a discussion on how to regulate such innovative technology.
Lab-grown eggs have already been successfully used to produce healthy mice, including those with two biological fathers. While this remarkable achievement has yet to be replicated with human cells, US startups like Conception and Gameto are reportedly making significant progress toward this goal. The HFEA meeting revealed that estimated timelines for achieving this ranged from two to three years—considered optimistic—to a decade, with several clinicians expressing the belief that IVGs are likely to become “a routine part of clinical practice.”
Currently, the clinical use of IVGs is prohibited by law, and proving their safety presents substantial challenges, particularly since any unintentional genetic changes could be inherited by future generations. Furthermore, the technology raises numerous ethical concerns. Thompson emphasized, “Research on IVGs is advancing rapidly, but it is not yet clear when they might become a viable treatment option. IVGs pose significant questions, which is why the HFEA has suggested that they should be subject to statutory regulation in the future, and that any biologically hazardous use of IVGs in treatments should never be allowed.” He added, “This is just one of many detailed recommendations regarding scientific advancements that we are exploring to modernize the HFE Act, but any decisions about updating UK fertility laws will ultimately be determined by Parliament.”