Cloning possible by 2029 through embryoids research?

Artistic rendition of an embryoid

In the last couple of years, scientists have made progress in making embryo-like structures from stem cells. These structures are not yet able to grow into full animals or humans, but newer techniques are showing improved results. Recently, scientists have successfully created complete models of human embryos from stem cells cultured in the lab, and managed to grow them up to the 14th day.

These artificial embryo-like structures will be useful in studying issues that come up during early phases of the pregnancy, which has historically been very hard to study. Eventually, it is likely that techniques improve to a point where these embryoids become functionally identical to normal embryos and at that point, these artificially created embryos will become an avenue for cloning. As a result, it is important to keep a tab on relevant research.

Here are distinct names or terms used to refer to embryoids in recent scientific literature[1] -

• 2C-like cells

• 3D blastocyst culture system

• 3D embryo-like gastruloid system

• 3D structures that resemble pre-implantation embryos

• Artificial embryos

• Asymmetric human epiblast

• Blastoids

• Embryo models

• Embryo-like entities

• Embryo-like structures

• Embryoid bodies

• Embryoids

• ETC embryoids

• ETS/ETX embryos

• Gastrulation micropatterned colony

• Gastruloids

• Gastrulating embryo-like structures

• Human cell culture models

• Human cell cultures of early development (hCCMEDs)

• Human embryo-like structures derived from pluripotent stem cells

• Human embryoid model

• Human epiblast models

• Iblastoid

• Integrated models of human development

• Micropatterned 2D culture systems (2D gastruloids)

• Micropatterned cultures of human pluripotent stem cells

• Micropatterned hESC colonies

• Micropatterned stem cell cultures

• Models of early human development

• Model of the human blastocyst

• Multiple human embryo-like cells (MPECs)

• Non-integrated models of human development

• Organized embryo-like structures

• Organoids/embryonic organoids

• PSC-derived models of early embryo development

• Polarized embryo-like structures

• Post-implantation amniotic sac embryoids (PASE)

• Post-implantation epiblast

• Self-organizing hESCs

• Self-organizing models of human development

• Self-organizing stem cell model systems (SOSCS)

• Synthetic embryo-like structures

• Synthetic human entities with embryo-like features (SHEEFS)

• Stem cell-based models of embryos

• Stem cell-derived blastoids

• Stem cell-derived models of embryo development

• Stem cell-based embryo models/stem cell-based models of embryos

• Structures that resemble embryos

• Synthetic embryo-like entities

• Synthetic embryo systems (SES)

• Synthetic embryos

• Synthetic embryoids

• Synthetic entities with embryo-like features

Unless ethics committees exert a chilling effect, expect to see major progress in this field over the next 3-5 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see fully viable artificial embryos demonstrated by the end of 2026. Cloning possible by 2029?

References:

[1] https://stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-023-03448-8/tables/3