Embryo Models: Human or Device?

Embryo Models: Human or Device?

Embryo models, made from pluripotent stem cells, serve as critical proxies for human embryos, providing insights into the cellular mechanics at precise developmental stages (Weatherbee et al. 2023). This research promises transformative advances in regenerative medicine, drug development, and presents ethical alternatives to the use of actual human embryos (Zhang et al. 2023). These models are classified into non-integrated and integrated types. Non-integrated models, which replicate isolated aspects or tissues and have limited developmental potential, require comparatively less ethical oversight. In contrast, integrated models, which emulate the full spectrum of early human embryonic development and could potentially progress towards viability, call for more intensive ethical scrutiny (Clark et al. 2021).

These advancements, however, bring substantial moral debates over the treatment and status of embryo models to the fore (Rivron et al. 2018). The possibility of germline modifications and synthetic reproduction further intensifies these discussions, pressing scientists and policymakers to find a balance between innovation and ethical integrity. An interdisciplinary strategy is essential to ensure that the progress in embryo model research remains in harmony with societal values and ethical norms.

Yet, without such an approach, the regulatory environment remains disjointed, emphasising the need for a unified legal and ethical framework to navigate this complex terrain. There are calls to expand legal definitions of ’embryo’ to encompass these models within the ambit of existing laws. The societal implications are significant, with public discourse often centred around the ramifications of scientific advancements and the equity of access to emerging healthcare technologies.

The goal of our workshop is to direct attention to the critical yet under-examined questions associated with the development and application of human embryo models. We aim to move beyond theoretical debates to address the tangible ethical, legal, and social challenges poised to arise with the advancement of this technology. A particular focus will be on the ethical considerations of near-future clinical applications and the extent to which current and evolving legal frameworks can safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved. Our workshop is poised to fill a crucial gap in existing discourse, ensuring that these pressing issues are explored thoroughly before the introduction of these technologies into human medical practice.

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Clark AT, Brivanlou A, Fu J, Kato K, Mathews D, Niakan KK, Rivron N, Saitou M, Surani A, Tang F, Rossant J. Human embryo research, stem cell-derived embryo models and in vitro gametogenesis: Considerations leading to the revised ISSCR guidelines. Stem Cell Reports. 2021 Jun 8;16(6):1416-24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8190666/

Rivron N, Pera M, Rossant J, Martinez Arias A, Zernicka-Goetz M, Fu J et al. Debate ethics of embryo models from stem cells. Nature. Dec 2018; 564(7735):183–185

Weatherbee, B. A., Gantner, C. W., Iwamoto-Stohl, L. K., Daza, R. M., Hamazaki, N., Shendure, J., & Zernicka-Goetz, M. (2023). Pluripotent stem cell-derived model of the post-implantation human embryo. Nature, 1-10.

Zhang M, Reis AH, Simunovic M. Human embryoids: A new strategy of recreating the first steps of embryonic development in vitro. InSeminars in Cell & Developmental Biology 2023 May 30 (Vol. 141, pp. 14-22). Academic Press.