Synthetic human embryo raises ethical issues

Published

2 years ago

June 16, 2023

editor

Scientists have created synthetic human embryos – using no eggs or sperm – provoking deep ethical questions, according to reports.

The synthetic embryos – only days or weeks old – could help researchers study the earliest stages of human development and explain pregnancy loss.

Nobody is currently suggesting growing them into a baby.

But the rapid progress has outpaced discussions on how they should be dealt with ethically and legally.

Prof James Briscoe, from the Francis Crick Institute, said the field needed to “proceed cautiously, carefully and transparently” to avoid a “chilling effect” on the public.

The development of human synthetic embryos was announced at the annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research.

Synthetic embryos are also known as “embryo models”, as they resemble embryos, for the purposes of research, rather than being identical to them.

The work comes from the laboratories of Prof Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, from the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology.

The full details have yet to be published and made available for scientific scrutiny, leading many researchers to feel unable to comment on the significance of the reports.

But the principle is the synthetic embryos are made from a stem cell rather than a fusion of egg and sperm.

(BBC News)

Dan Priyasad not dead – police (Update)

Published

8 hours ago

April 22, 2025

editor

The Police Media Spokesman says that political activist Dan Priyasad is not dead, but is in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit.

Previously, the police had stated that Priyasad had succumbed to his injuries after being shot at a housing complex in Salamulla, Wellampitiya.

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(Previous News : 2025/04/22 at 10:41 pm)

Dan Priyasad dies after being shot

Political activist Dan Priyasad has been died after being fatally shot today (April 22).

According to the police, he was shot at a housing complex in Salamulla, Wellampitiya by two two unidentified individuals, who had arrived at the scene on a motorcycle. They had fired at Priyasad before fleeing the scene.

Priyasad had passed away after being hospitalised.

Another person who received minor injuries in the incident, is being treated at hospital.

Wellampitiya Police are conducting further investigations.

News

‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ Chief Editor’s mother passes away

Published

10 hours ago

April 22, 2025

editor

We solemnly announce the passing of Mrs. Pushpa Ranjani Liyanage, cherished wife of late Milk Board manager – Mr. L.S. Rodrigo and the beloved mother of ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ Chief Editor – Mr. Kelum Shivantha.

Remains will lie at Supreme Rest Funeral Parlour, Kelanimulla from 11.00am to 10.30pm on April 23 and on April 24 morning.

Final rites will be held at the Pilapitiya Cemetery crematorium on April 24 at 3.00 pm.

News

Country has sufficient insulin stocks – Nalinda

Published

10 hours ago

April 22, 2025

editor

Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has assured that the government has already distributed sufficient insulin stocks for the next four months.

Therefore, he urged the public not to have any unnecessary fears over the matter.

Speaking earlier today (April 22) during the weekly Cabinet briefing, he assured that there is enough insulin available in the country until September this year.
He added that measures are taken to maintain medicine stocks sufficient for a period of four to six months to prevent any shortages.