Is there a valid ethical objection to the clinical use of in vitro-derived gametes?

Abstract

Recent developments in techniques that can determine cell fate have allowed the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells into germ cells. Research conducted in the past decade has also made significant advances towards meeting this end using human embryonic stem cells. The technology is known as in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) and has potential as an assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, before this is possible, the ethical issues surrounding these techniques for research and reproduction must be assessed.

Keywords

• gametogenesis
• assisted reproduction
• stem cells
• ethics