Scientists have made a major biological breakthrough, bringing the science closer to building artificial wombs capable of carrying and giving birth to children.
Colossal Biosciences, the company behind the de-extinction of dire wolves last year, has successfully hatched live chicks from an entirely artificial egg.
Experts from the American Society of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering have built a shell-free incubation system, mirroring a natural egg. Scientists took early bird embryos, placed them in an egg-shaped structure and incubated them for 18 days. Nutrient solutions were administered to provide nutrition and allow the embryo to continue to develop.
The chicks came out of their shells, emerged in perfect health and showed normal development.
The egg-shaped structure has a 3D-printed outer shell with a silicon-based membrane inside, allowing diffusion of oxygen into the developing embryo.
The company said this development is a stepping stone toward the eventual development of an artificial womb. The Texas-based company is currently trying to wipe out several animals, including the woolly mammoth and the South Island giant moa.
Announcing this biological breakthrough, Colossal Biosciences said: “The device changes everything. We’re showing the world that we can grow this whole bird in an incubator outside of an eggshell. This is a complete game changer. Life finds a way.”
The company said the development gives hope to half of the world’s endangered bird species.
Previously, Colossal Biosciences had succeeded in making the dire wolf species disappear. The wolves have now grown up and can begin to reproduce naturally, the company announced.
