The ethics of growing human embryos in the lab - podcast
by Ian Sample and Iain Chambers from on (#1F6GW)
Should the current 14 day limit for growing human embryos in the lab be extended in light of recent breakthroughs?
Researchers in the US and UK recently broke the record for culturing human embryos in the lab, keeping them alive for up to 13 days - that's beyond the point at which they would normally implant in a mother's womb.
This has prompted some to ask whether we should allow scientists to grow human embryos for longer? Or is the 14 day rule a line in the sand that should not be moved?