Oregon Scientists Create Fertilizable Eggs from Skin Cells

Scientists in Oregon made eggs using skin cells. These eggs could help people have babies one day. It is a step forward in fertility research. The scientists hope to create eggs or sperm in the lab. This could help people who cannot have children.

The experiment had problems with the chromosomes. Chromosomes are very important for healthy development. Researchers say it will take ten years of work. Then the method might be ready for human trials.

The scientists took the nucleus from a skin cell. They put it into an egg cell without a nucleus. Skin cells have two sets of chromosomes. Eggs need only one set to make a baby.

The scientists made the egg cells lose extra chromosomes. Then they used sperm to start development. Some cells grew for six days in the lab. But these cells had abnormal chromosomes.

A scientist said the cell division needs improvement. The cells are not yet good enough to make embryos. Other scientists had different reactions to the study. Some were worried about the chromosome problems.