Does anyone know why such a fundamental gene would have such different behaviours between mammals?
> In previous mouse studies, loss of NANOG disrupted both the epiblast and the yolk sac - a tissue that supports the developing embryo. In this human embryo study, loss of NANOG primarily affected the epiblast, the future body-forming line of cells.
The short answer is the "14-day" rule, which doesn't allow development of the embryo beyond 14 days. The article gives specifics under the heading "Ethical and legal compliance"
In the US it's legal-sorta but the NIH can't fund it and the FDA is not allowed to approve treatments based on it. So someone could do it in a research setting but there's not a pathway to market in the US (in practice people will do the first ones in a friendly legal climate like Peru).
> Using base editing, the researchers blocked a gene called NANOG in very early-stage human embryos, and found that the cells of the early embryo could not develop into more specialised pluripotent cells called the epiblast - which later form the body.
Excuse me wtf. They manipulated the genes of a live human in such a way that it failed to develop its body (and presumably died)?? Genuinely repulsive how casually this is mentioned.
Testing on early stage embryos is a thing yes. They have no brain, no heartbeat, feel no pain. Yes, they could potentially develop into a human being, but I wouldn't call it a live human yet. I understand your repulsion, but to other people it's no different than testing on sperm, eggs or other human tissues. And as the other guy said, these were discarded embryos from IVF, they would never become humans.
Wait, you think the evil scientists just yanked an embryo from someone's womb? Are you stupid?
"The embryos, eggs and sperm used in the study were unused samples donated by couples who had undergone IVF treatment. Most donors had completed their family, and wanted their surplus embryos, eggs or sperm to be used for research.
The embryos were only cultured in the lab for up to six and a half days after fertilisation, and then allowed to perish."
Even in real pregnancies, it's estimated that as many as three quarters of all fertilized eggs fail to implant in the uterus. If one was of the opinion that life begins at conception, one should certainly be aware of that silent holocaust that has and always will eclipse all others for all of human existence.
> In previous mouse studies, loss of NANOG disrupted both the epiblast and the yolk sac - a tissue that supports the developing embryo. In this human embryo study, loss of NANOG primarily affected the epiblast, the future body-forming line of cells.
What references are you following? Haven't heard this before.
Unless you live in the Whitehouse.
Excuse me wtf. They manipulated the genes of a live human in such a way that it failed to develop its body (and presumably died)?? Genuinely repulsive how casually this is mentioned.
"The embryos, eggs and sperm used in the study were unused samples donated by couples who had undergone IVF treatment. Most donors had completed their family, and wanted their surplus embryos, eggs or sperm to be used for research.
The embryos were only cultured in the lab for up to six and a half days after fertilisation, and then allowed to perish."