In Vitro Gametogenesis: The Promise and Perils of Lab-Grown Babies for space colonization 👨‍👩‍👧‍

Have you read the exciting news about a California biotech startup called Conception that is developing in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) technology?

In vitro gametogenesis (IVG) is a process that involves creating sperm or egg cells in the laboratory from adult somatic cells. This is in contrast to in vitro fertilization (IVF), which involves fertilizing an egg cell with sperm that have been extracted from the bodies of the parents. This could potentially revolutionize the fertility market, as it would allow people who are infertile or who have same-sex partners to have their own biological children.

Conception has already created a mouse with two biological fathers using IVG technology. This is a significant breakthrough, as it shows that IVG is a viable way to create offspring with a specific genetic makeup.

IVG has the potential to revolutionize space colonization. Currently, one of the biggest challenges to sending humans to other planets is the difficulty of transporting enough gametes to sustain a colony. With IVG, astronauts could bring a small number of somatic cells with them, and then use these cells to create sperm or egg cells in the laboratory on the new planet. This would allow them to start a new colony without having to rely on sending gametes from Earth.

There are a number of challenges that need to be overcome before IVG can be used for space colonization. One challenge is that IVG is still in its early stages of development. It has only been successfully used in animals, and it has not yet been shown to be effective in humans. Another challenge is that IVG is a complex and expensive process. It is not clear how much it would cost to use IVG to start a colony on another planet.

Despite these challenges, IVG has the potential to make space colonization a reality. If IVG can be made more efficient and cost-effective, it could be a major breakthrough in the field of space exploration.

Here are some of the potential benefits of using IVG for space colonization:

🟣It would allow astronauts to start a new colony without having to rely on sending gametes from Earth.

🟣It would reduce the risk of genetic bottlenecks, which can occur when a population is small.

🟣It would allow for more genetic diversity in the colony, which would be beneficial for the long-term health of the colony.

Of course, there are also some potential risks associated with using IVG for space colonization:

🔸IVG is still in its early stages of development, and there is no guarantee that it will be safe or effective in humans.

🔸It is a complex and expensive process, and it is not clear how much it would cost to use IVG to start a colony on another planet.

🔸There is a risk that IVG could be used to create designer babies, which could have ethical implications.

Here are some additional thoughts on the ethical implications of IVG:

🔹Designer babies

There is a risk that IVG could be used to create designer babies, or to select for certain traits. This could lead to a society where people are stratified based on their genetic makeup. It's important to have a public discussion about the ethics of designer babies before IVG becomes widely available.

🔹Genetic diversity

There is also a risk that IVG could lead to a decrease in genetic diversity. This is because people who use IVG may be more likely to choose to have children with certain traits, which could lead to a narrowing of the gene pool. It's important to consider the impact of IVG on genetic diversity before it becomes widely available. This technology has the potential to be very beneficial, but it's also important to be aware of the potential risks.

Overall, IVG has the potential to be a major breakthrough in the field of space exploration. However, there are still a number of challenges that need to be overcome before it can be used to start a colony on another planet.

🌐References

1️⃣https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12308239/California-biotech-startup-aims-make-lab-grown-BABIES-believes-change-society-know-it.html

2️⃣"In vitro gametogenesis: just another way to have a baby?" by J.A. Roberts and D.B. Seifer (2013). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3590899/

3️⃣"Drawing the line on in vitro gametogenesis" by S. Holm, J.A. Roberts, and M. Temple-Smith (2016). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4806820/

4️⃣"Procreative beneficence and in vitro gametogenesis" by M.D. Hauskeller (2010). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3590898/

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