13 May , 19:15
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Chinese scientists have sent artificial embryos to the Tiangong space station to determine whether humans could reproduce in zero gravity in the future. This was reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
The research is being conducted by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The project is led by Yu Leqian, professor and researcher at the State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology at the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
According to him, the main goal of the experiment is to understand how gravity and its absence affect the early stages of embryo development. This is critically important for future long-duration space missions and the potential colonization of other planets.
"This is our first attempt to answer the question: can humans survive and reproduce in space? I hope the answer will be positive," noted Yu Leqian.
Artificial embryos created from stem cells were used for the experiment. In structure, they resemble real human embryos but are incapable of developing into a fully formed organism. Such models allow researchers to study early human development without using real embryos.
The samples were sent to the station aboard the Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft. In orbit, astronauts will monitor their development over a period of five days.
The researchers plan to study the stage corresponding to approximately 14–21 days after fertilization. This period is considered critically important: it is precisely when the major human organs begin to form. Any disruptions at this stage can seriously affect the further development of the organism.
Previously, studying such late stages of human embryo development was practically impossible due to the international "14-day rule" that restricted experiments with embryos under laboratory conditions. However, in 2021, the International Society for Stem Cell Research relaxed these guidelines, permitting such research after enhanced ethical review.
Scientists hope that the results will benefit not only space medicine but also research into diseases associated with disruptions in early embryonic development. After the experiment is completed, the samples will be frozen and returned to Earth for detailed analysis.
