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[Wilsongt]

The article says that they are cloned human embryos that produced stem cells "indistinguishable from those taken from a naturally fertilized egg". From the wording in the article, it sounds like the embryo may be viable. Now, it is certainly possible that the article has been misleading. If that is the case, then that may change my opinions somewhat. An embryo that can never mature into a human being is a different issue, albeit one that doesn't completely dodge all of the ethical concerns.

Another important finding in our study is that standard activation treatments involving exposure to ionomycin and 6-DMAP are not sufficient for supporting development of human SCNT embryos. During normal fertilization, sperm entry triggers oocyte activation that is critical for completion of meiosis and for the initiation of mitotic divisions. Activation is also critical for the oocyte’s cytoplasm to acquire the reprogramming and metabolic activity that is necessary to support subsequent development (Susko-Parrish et al., 1994).

Basically, you're not going to get a clone from this method. The article speculates that the pathway to parthenogensis differents from the protocol they used here.

Edit: Let's not forget, secondary sources and those reporting on news stories do not always get what is being said in the article correct. Shall I post the picture?

 

[mr2xxx]

18 years since we cloned sheep and we haven't cloned anything interesting yet, im talking about cloned animals not this. It didn't have to be a dinosaur, even though the feather thing dropped down the cool factor a bit. How about cloning some nearly extinct species like the Black Rhino.

 

[Loofy]

18 years since we cloned sheep and we haven't cloned anything interesting yet, im talking about cloned animals not this. It didn't have to be a dinosaur, even though the feather thing dropped down the cool factor a bit. How about cloning some nearly extinct species like the Black Rhino.

I remember seeing that 'resurrecting the mammoth' special over 10 years ago. Then there was another special last year. Maybe we'll get another special 5 years from now.

 

[Cameron122]

On one hand, I love all forms of human advancement. Anything that could possibly cure me of Cerebral Palsy would be great. On the other hand, Gattaca. Where the rich are genetically superior to the poor.

Spoiler

INJECT ME WITH EVERYTHING

 

[E-Cat]

It's technically not even an egg anymore, because there is no native DNA inside. DNA is donated to it and then the DNA is fused. It's somatic DNA. Last time I checked, somatic DNA could not a baby make.

It's still the same DNA, somatic or germline. Somatic cells naturally cannot become gametes, but in this case it doesn't matter since we've skipped that part. A fertilized egg is a diploid, which is exactly what we have here. There could be other complications, of course.

 

[Wilsongt]

It's still the same DNA, somatic or germline. Somatic cells naturally cannot become gametes, but in this case it doesn't matter since we've skipped that part. A fertilized egg cell is a diploid, which is exactly what we have here. There could be other complications, of course.

It's a polyploid and then becomes diploid. Anyway, I posted something from the article above. This thing can't generate a human.

 

[E-Cat]

It's a polyploid and then becomes diploid. Anyway, I posted something from the article above. This thing can't generate a human.

A polyploid? Where does it say that?

The egg was cleared of its own genetic material and inserted with somatic 2n chromosomes. So you end up with with the same end result as in 1n + 1n = 2n traditional sperm and egg fertilization. Am I missing something here?

 

[Wilsongt]

A polyploid? Where does it say that?

The egg was cleared of its own genetic material and inserted with somatic 2n chromosomes. So you end up with with the same end result as in 1n + 1n = 2n traditional sperm and egg fertilization. Am I missing something here?

Edit: Never mind, I am indeed wrong. I was reading something in the intro, and thought they also talked about the same thing occurring in this experiment.