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15th March 2017
Breakthrough in artificial embryo research Orla Knox-Macaulay Science Writer Earlier this month, something occurred in a laboratory in Cambridge University that may shed new light on the beauty of creation and life. A three-dimensional artificial mouse embryo model was produced. Essentially, the embryo was made by combining together two different stem cells. One stem cell would make the foetus and the other, the placenta. During the process, the embryo was cultured in a test tube
and an embryo-like model was created. Currently, there is no way that this could be replicated to make a human embryo but the scientists involved firmly believe that this is not something out of reach in the coming years. When interviewed, one of the leading researchers on this project Professor Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, said: “We think that it will be possible to mimic a lot of the developmental events occurring before 14 days using human embryonic and extra-embryonic stem cells using a similar approach to our technique using mouse stem
cells.” Due to this technique being successful, there is a chance that if the team could further this research then creating a human embryo model is completely possible. As this is stem cell research there are some ethical issues attached. Firstly, this research will be used to help detect reasons for embryonic failure in early pregnancies which can lead to miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. This could mean that we can ensure successful pregnancies a lot more frequently. An ethical issue attached to this however is the designer baby
argument. By physically producing human embryos, and in turn humans in cultures, then surely, we can create and push forward the next stage of evolution. We will be able to design our babies as this has been done through stem cells. Of course, this is a rather dystopian and futuristic view on what this breakthrough could mean but it is something we should be aware of. A fellow stem cell researcher from Kings College London, Dr Dusko Ilic stated that it was “a beautifully conceived and executed study demonstrating interplay of different cells in different cellular
compartments within the first days of mouse development”. This is such a fantastic achievement and something that could lead to incredible advancement in stem cell discourse, but there are as aforementioned issues surrounding the nature of this research. What is so fantastic about this research is how even though there is an obvious dichotomy between science and what we would perceive to be the unknown, is how there is an element of magic involved. This is not to say that actual magic is involved, but creation itself can be observed which is rather magical.
Space tourism: what, when, where? DNA clues shed light on woolly mammoth death
Emily Hawkins Science Writer
PDP, Jean Beaufort Caitlin Doherty Deputy Editor Space tourism has long been on the wish-lists of multi-millionaires and wannabe young astronauts, running around the garden with tin foil taped to their heads alike, but its development has always seemed to be the stuff of Hollywood blockbusters and essay-induced daydreams. But last week, Elon Musk, multi-billionaire and CEO of SpaceX - a company that “designs, manufactures and launches advanced spacecraft, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets” - announced that two customers had paid a ‘significant deposit’ towards spaces on a rocket mission that will fly them around the moon in 2018, marking one of the first real commitments to popular space travel, and vacations on Venus could soon be a reality. According to Libby Jackson, Human Spaceflight and
Microgravity Programme Manager at the UK Space Agency, regular space travel could be possible in “as little as three years time”. Jackson was involved with Tim Peake’s flight to the International Space Station in 2015, and confirmed that the UK Government are keen to ensure that space travel is up and running as soon as possible, and the UK’s first spaceport is currently scheduled for a 2020 opening. Jackson confirmed that “a number of companies around the world are already taking bookings for their sub-orbital flights and expect to take fare-paying passengers into space in the coming years”. Several billion-dollar companies are involved in this 21st century space race, however, it seems that that it will either be SpaceX, or Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic that will have the honour of sending the first non-astronauts into space. Capsules will hold two or three passengers for any one trip, however, with the medical and food supplies necessary for the journey,
the space could feel rather cramped, considering that travelling to the moon and back will take around a week. It goes without saying that space tourism may not be the best option if you’re looking for a cheap, romantic mini break. SpaceX have not confirmed how much they are charging for a seat to the stratosphere, but, Virgin Galactic have revealed that they will be charging £200,000 per person for a trip to the moon, a fee that must be paid in full before lift-off. Having said that, if you’re lucky enough to win the lottery, there should be very little else stopping any hopeful spacemen. “What’s exciting is that anyone can go, as long as they’re physically fit”, says Tamela Maciel from Leicester’s National Space Centre. The age, profession and location of those who have registered an interest in going to space varies greatly. As long as you’re over ten years old and with a burning desire to go to space, then high above the world is your oyster….
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered indications as to why the woolly mammoth became extinct by examining ancient DNA. Researchers have concluded the animals died out because their genomes developed in ways not conducive to survival. Genetic mutations found in mammoth DNA from 4,000 years ago was compared to another genetic sample from 45,000 years ago. Dr Rebekah Rogers, who led the research, said of this method: “It’s difficult to catch a population in the process of going extinct, but this study finally made it possible, thanks to advances in DNA sequencing.” Comparing the samples revealed that the last mammoths, living on Wrangel Island in the Arctic Ocean, had lost receptors key for their sense of smell and had developed anti-social behaviour. Such mutations affected the breeding rate of the animals on the island, leading to their extinction. By the time of the mammoth’s nadir, they had also lost their thick coats, making them unsuited to the harsh winters of Siberia. Scientists also found the animals lacked levels of protein in their urine necessary for attracting a mate, as well as having digestive problems that made survival harder. Dr Rogers described the latest discovery as the first instance of “genetic meltdown” in a single species. She said the mammoth’s genetic material had been “falling apart” at the time of its extinction. In addition to providing a crucial insight into the demise of the woolly mammoth, this research is being hailed as a turning point
for work into conservation. The scientific community have said the research could be a breakthrough for current conservation work regarding saving animals like the white rhino, Indian elephant, and panda. Love Dalen, an academic in evolutionary genetics at the Swedish Museum of Natural History called the research “very novel” and speculated about the “important implications for
“They had also lost their thick coats, making them unsuited to the harsh winters of Siberia” conservation biology” that could result from examining genomes from other species in a similar fashion. Dalen, who pioneered work into the DNA sequencing of mammoths, discovered deletions in the genes of the animals, whereby “big chunks” of genomes were missing. Dr Rogers said her team’s research shows “when you have these small populations for an extended period of time they can go into genomic meltdown.” The key then is to prevent such meltdowns from occurring in the first place by making sure populations of rare animals do not dip to such low levels that genetic mutations occur. Dr Rogers explained that “if you have a small population and then bring it back up to larger numbers” species may not be able to be saved from the threat of extinction as the species “will still bear those signatures of this genomic meltdown.”