In the latest tech developments, R3 Bio, a California startup that has been operating under the radar, made headlines by announcing its funding for the creation of nonsentient monkey organ ‘sacks’ as a substitute for animal testing. However, deeper investigations by MIT Technology Review revealed a controversial vision from founder John Schloendorn: the development of brainless human clones intended to serve as backup bodies for humans. This audacious proposal raises significant ethical questions, and R3 Bio seems to be striving to keep the details of this plan away from public scrutiny.
In another groundbreaking achievement, researchers in reproductive health have successfully maintained a human uterus outside the body for a full day, which is a first in scientific history. This remarkable feat was accomplished using a device called “Mother,” which connects the uterus to artificial veins and arteries, providing it with modified human blood. This advancement could pave the way for longer-term preservation of uterine tissue outside the body, potentially leading to significant breakthroughs in pregnancy research and even the possibility of growing human fetuses in controlled environments. These developments not only highlight the rapid pace of biotechnological advancement but also stir discussions about the ethical implications associated with such capabilities.
Source: The Download: brainless human clones and the first uterus kept alive outside a body via MIT Technology Review