Stem-Cell-Derived Gametes and Fertility Research

Fertility research has to do with the study of biological reproduction and genetics. Many causes can lead to infertility, including genetics, aging, and diet, among others. In some rare cases, infertility can be permanent; for couples who want to build a family together, infertility is a major roadblock. To combat this, scientists have started experimentation on synthetically created gametes, which are usually formed in a lab with stem cells. This allows not just infertile couples, but same-sex couples to also have biologically related children.

These artificial gametes are synthesized through a process known as “in vitro gametogenesis,” or IVG abbreviated. By taking any cell from an organism’s body, egg or sperm cells can be formed. An experiment with mice cells in Japan led to success. By taking cells from a mouse’s tail, researchers were able to turn those cells into mouse eggs and sperm. With these mouse gametes, they were able to make embryos and implant them in female mice. The mice that were born were healthy and fertile. Doing the same with human eggs was no longer an impossibility.

However, creating human gametes has proven to be much more difficult. Other researchers have synthesized human eggs and sperm, but they were not developed enough to form an embryo. Additionally, there are many ethical and legal concerns surrounding the usage of IVG. Firstly, the child born as a result of synthetic gametes could end up dying early due to problems during fertilization or the incubation period. Even if the child is healthy, with how powerful IVG can be, prospective parents can “pick and choose” their desired traits for their child, or even create a carbon copy of themself. By doing so, the chances of genetic problems increase. The number of older and younger parents would also increase, or a person’s genes could be used without consent to form an embryo. Arguments about ancestry and parental relationships would become more complicated and confusing. Because of these reasons, many governments around the world are hesitant in allowing this type of research.

Although it will take many years, and it may not even happen in the future, a healthy child could be born from synthesized gametes. As long as people do not take unfair advantage of IVG, and it is used properly, IVG can lead to happiness among couples that cannot reproduce together.

References:

Bowman, Katherine, et al. “Introduction.” Www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, National Academies Press (US), 19 Oct. 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK599673/.

Horer, Stefanie, et al. “Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived in Vitro Gametogenesis and Synthetic Embryos—It Is Never Too Early for an Ethical Debate.” Stem Cells Translational Medicine, vol. 12, no. 9, 20 July 2023, pp. 569–575, https://doi.org/10.1093/stcltm/szad042.

Moreno, Inmaculada, et al. “Artificial Gametes from Stem Cells.” Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine, vol. 42, no. 2, 2015, p. 33, https://doi.org/10.5653/cerm.2015.42.2.33.

Sharma, Rakesh, et al. “Lifestyle Factors and Reproductive Health: Taking Control of Your Fertility.” Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, vol. 11, no. 1, 2013, p. 66, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3717046/, https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-11-66.

Snyder, Steven H. “Is IVG the Future of Assisted Reproduction?” Steven H. Snyder & Associates, 9 May 2023, www.snyderlawfirm.com/blog/2023/05/is-ivg-the-future-of-assisted-reproduction/. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.

Stein, Rob. “Creating a Sperm or Egg from Any Cell? Reproduction Revolution on the Horizon.” NPR, 27 May 2023, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/05/27/1177191913/sperm-or-egg-in-lab-breakthrough-in-reproduction-designer-babies-ivg.

---. “Japanese Scientists Race to Create Human Eggs and Sperm in the Lab.” NPR, 28 Sept. 2023, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/09/28/1200105467/japanese-scientists-race-to-create-human-eggs-and-sperm-in-the-lab.

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