Editing Embryo (section)

==Research and technology==

=== Biological processes ===
Embryos from numerous plant and animal species are studied in biological research laboratories across the world to learn about topics such as [[stem cell]]s,<ref>{{Citation|title=Chapter 4 - Of Mice and Men: The History of Embryonic Stem Cells|date=2014-01-01|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124115514000040|work=Stem Cells (Second Edition)|pages=69–100|editor-last=Mummery|editor-first=Christine|publisher=Academic Press|doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-411551-4.00004-0|isbn=9780124115514|access-date=2019-11-14|editor2-last=van de Stolpe|editor2-first=Anja|editor3-last=Roelen|editor3-first=Bernard A. J.|editor4-last=Clevers|editor4-first=Hans|archive-date=2022-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418220700/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124115514000040|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> [[Evolutionary developmental biology|evolution and development]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Martín-Durán|first1=José M.|last2=Monjo|first2=Francisco|last3=Romero|first3=Rafael|date=2012|title=Planarian embryology in the era of comparative developmental biology|journal=The International Journal of Developmental Biology|volume=56|issue=1–3|pages=39–48|doi=10.1387/ijdb.113442jm|issn=1696-3547|pmid=22450993|doi-access=free}}</ref> [[cell division]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Kumar|first1=Megha|last2=Pushpa|first2=Kumari|last3=Mylavarapu|first3=Sivaram V. S.|date=July 2015|title=Splitting the cell, building the organism: Mechanisms of cell division in metazoan embryos|journal=IUBMB Life|volume=67|issue=7|pages=575–587|doi=10.1002/iub.1404|issn=1521-6551|pmc=5937677|pmid=26173082}}</ref> and [[gene expression]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Jukam|first1=David|last2=Shariati|first2=S. Ali M.|last3=Skotheim|first3=Jan M.|date=2017-08-21|title=Zygotic Genome Activation in Vertebrates|journal=Developmental Cell|volume=42|issue=4|pages=316–332|doi=10.1016/j.devcel.2017.07.026|issn=1878-1551|pmc=5714289|pmid=28829942}}</ref> Examples of scientific discoveries made while studying embryos that were awarded the [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine]] include the [[Spemann-Mangold organizer]], a group of cells originally discovered in amphibian embryos that give rise to neural tissues,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/spemann-mangold-organizer|title=Spemann-Mangold Organizer {{!}} The Embryo Project Encyclopedia|website=embryo.asu.edu|access-date=2019-11-14|archive-date=2022-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402153712/https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/spemann-mangold-organizer|url-status=live}}</ref> and genes that give rise to [[Segmentation (biology)|body segments]] discovered in ''[[Drosophila melanogaster|Drosophila]]'' fly embryos by [[Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard]] and [[Eric F. Wieschaus|Eric Wieschaus]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1995/7713-the-nobel-prize-in-physiology-or-medicine-1995/|title=The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1995|website=NobelPrize.org|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-14|archive-date=2022-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402211514/https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1995/7713-the-nobel-prize-in-physiology-or-medicine-1995/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Assisted reproductive technology ===
Creating and/or manipulating embryos via [[assisted reproductive technology]] (ART) is used for addressing fertility concerns in humans and other animals, and for [[selective breeding]] in agricultural species. Between the years 1987 and 2015, ART techniques including [[In vitro fertilisation|in vitro fertilization]] (IVF) were responsible for an estimated one million human births in the United States alone.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/fertility-blog/2018/march/ivf-by-the-numbers|title=IVF by the Numbers – Penn Medicine|website=www.pennmedicine.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2020-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424230537/https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/fertility-blog/2018/march/ivf-by-the-numbers|url-status=live}}</ref> Other clinical technologies include [[preimplantation genetic diagnosis]] (PGD), which can identify certain serious genetic abnormalities, such as [[aneuploidy]], prior to selecting embryos for use in IVF.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Basille|first1=Claire|last2=Frydman|first2=René|last3=El Aly|first3=Abdelwahab|last4=Hesters|first4=Laetitia|last5=Fanchin|first5=Renato|last6=Tachdjian|first6=Gérard|last7=Steffann|first7=Julie|last8=LeLorc'h|first8=Marc|last9=Achour-Frydman|first9=Nelly|date=July 2009|title=Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: state of the art|journal=European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology|volume=145|issue=1|pages=9–13|doi=10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.04.004|issn=1872-7654|pmid=19411132}}</ref> Some have proposed (or even attempted - see [[He Jiankui affair]]) [[Genetic engineering|genetic editing]] of human embryos via [[CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing|CRISPR-Cas9]] as a potential avenue for preventing disease;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/02/01/689623550/new-u-s-experiments-aim-to-create-gene-edited-human-embryos|title=New U.S. Experiments Aim To Create Gene-Edited Human Embryos|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2024-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910221054/https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/02/01/689623550/new-u-s-experiments-aim-to-create-gene-edited-human-embryos|url-status=live}}</ref> however, this has been met with widespread condemnation from the scientific community.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Cyranoski|first1=David|last2=Ledford|first2=Heidi|date=2018-11-26|title=Genome-edited baby claim provokes international outcry|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=563|issue=7733|pages=607–608|doi=10.1038/d41586-018-07545-0|pmid=30482929|bibcode=2018Natur.563..607C|s2cid=53768039|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5550654/crispr-gene-editing-human-embryos-ban/|title=Experts Are Calling for a Ban on Gene Editing of Human Embryos. Here's Why They're Worried|magazine=Time|language=en|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2022-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503161032/https://time.com/5550654/crispr-gene-editing-human-embryos-ban/|url-status=live}}</ref>

ART techniques are also used to improve the profitability of agricultural animal species such as cows and pigs by enabling selective breeding for desired traits and/or to increase numbers of offspring.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Blondin|first=P.|date=January 2016|title=Logistics of large scale commercial IVF embryo production|journal=Reproduction, Fertility, and Development|volume=29|issue=1|pages=32–36|doi=10.1071/RD16317|issn=1031-3613|pmid=28278791}}</ref> For example, when allowed to breed naturally, cows typically produce one calf per year, whereas IVF increases offspring yield to 9–12 calves per year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ag4impact.org/sid/genetic-intensification/livestock-breeding/embryo-transfer/|title=Agriculture for Impact Embryo Transfer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2020-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731013759/https://ag4impact.org/sid/genetic-intensification/livestock-breeding/embryo-transfer/|url-status=dead}}</ref> IVF and other ART techniques, including [[cloning]] via interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT),<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fletcher|first=Amy Lynn|title=Mendel's Ark|chapter=Bio-Interventions: Cloning Endangered Species as Wildlife Conservation|date=2014|pages=49–66|editor-last=Fletcher|editor-first=Amy Lynn|publisher=Springer Netherlands|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-94-017-9121-2_4|isbn=978-94-017-9121-2}}</ref> are also used in attempts to increase the numbers of endangered or vulnerable species, such as [[Northern white rhinoceros|Northern white rhinos]],<ref>{{Cite news|first=Ian|last=Sample|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/11/scientists-use-ivf-procedures-to-help-save-near-extinct-rhinos|title=Scientists use IVF procedures to help save near-extinct rhinos|date=2019-09-11|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-04-15|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=2022-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503161041/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/11/scientists-use-ivf-procedures-to-help-save-near-extinct-rhinos|url-status=live}}</ref> [[cheetah]]s,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/24/us/cheetah-cubs-ivf-scn-trnd/index.html|title=Two cheetah cubs were born for the first time by IVF. The breakthrough offers hope for the threatened species|first=Alicia|last=Lee|website=CNN|date=25 February 2020|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2022-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503161032/https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/24/us/cheetah-cubs-ivf-scn-trnd/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[sturgeon]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Fatira|first1=Effrosyni|last2=Havelka|first2=Miloš|last3=Labbé|first3=Catherine|last4=Depincé|first4=Alexandra|last5=Iegorova|first5=Viktoriia|last6=Pšenička|first6=Martin|last7=Saito|first7=Taiju|date=2018-04-16|title=Application of interspecific Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (iSCNT) in sturgeons and an unexpectedly produced gynogenetic sterlet with homozygous quadruple haploid|journal=Scientific Reports|language=en|volume=8|issue=1|pages=5997|doi=10.1038/s41598-018-24376-1|pmid=29662093|pmc=5902484|bibcode=2018NatSR...8.5997F|issn=2045-2322 |bibcode-access=free }}</ref>

=== Cryoconservation of plant and animal biodiversity ===
[[Cryoconservation of animal genetic resources|Cryoconservation of genetic resources]] involves collecting and storing the reproductive materials, such as embryos, seeds, or gametes, from animal or plant species at low temperatures in order to preserve them for future use.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/3/a0399e/A0399E06.htm |title=II. Use of cryopreservation and reproductive technologies for conservation of genetic resources |first1=Sipke Joost |last1=Hiemstra |first2=Tette |last2=van der Lende |first3=Henri |last3=Woelders |first4=Bart |last4=Panis |first5=Maurizio |last5=Lambardi |work=The Role of Biotechnology in Exploring and Protecting Agricultural Genetic Resources |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |date=2006 |editor-first1=John |editor-last1=Ruane |editor-first2=Andrea |editor-last2=Sonnino |access-date=2020-04-15 |archive-date=2022-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503161025/https://www.fao.org/3/a0399e/A0399E06.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Some large-scale animal species cryoconservation efforts include "[[frozen zoo]]s" in various places around the world, including in the UK's [[Frozen Ark]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Frozen Ark |url=https://www.frozenark.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414160526/https://www.frozenark.org/ |archive-date=Apr 14, 2024 |website=frozenark.org}}</ref> the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife (BCEAW) in the United Arab Emirates,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bceaw.ae/|title=Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife|website=bceaw.ae|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2020-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128163136/http://www.bceaw.ae/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[San Diego Zoo]] Institute for Conservation in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://institute.sandiegozoo.org/resources/frozen-zoo%C2%AE|title=Frozen Zoo®|date=2016-01-26|website=San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research|language=en|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2024-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910221053/https://science.sandiegozoo.org/resources/frozen-zoo%C2%AE|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/san-diegos-frozen-zoo-180971276/|title=San Diego's Frozen Zoo Offers Hope for Endangered Species Around the World|website=Smithsonian Magazine|language=en|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2024-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910221053/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/san-diegos-frozen-zoo-180971276/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2018, there were approximately 1,700 seed banks used to store and protect plant biodiversity, particularly in the event of mass extinction or other global emergencies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/seed-vault-doomsday-svalbard-norway-milennium-kew-biodiversity-bank-gene-a8237221.html|title=A vast crypt was built to protect humans from the apocalypse. But doomsday might already be here|date=2018-03-04|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2020-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032059/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/seed-vault-doomsday-svalbard-norway-milennium-kew-biodiversity-bank-gene-a8237221.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Svalbard Global Seed Vault]] in Norway maintains the largest collection of plant reproductive tissue, with more than a million samples stored at {{cvt|-18|C}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.croptrust.org/our-work/svalbard-global-seed-vault/|title=Svalbard Global Seed Vault|website=Crop Trust|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2019-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102082044/https://www.croptrust.org/our-work/svalbard-global-seed-vault/|url-status=live}}</ref>