New fertility procedure may lead to 'embryo farming', warn researchers

Technique could also lead parents to create 'ideal' future children only -possible impact on society must be planned for now, say specialists

A new lab procedure that could allow fertility clinics to make sperm and eggs from people's skin may lead to "embryo farming" on a massive scale and drive parents to have only "ideal" future children, researchers warn.

Legal and medical specialists in the US say that while the procedure - known as in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) - has only been demonstrated in mice so far, the field is progressing so fast that the dramatic impact it could have on society must be planned for now.