In breakthrough, Israeli scientists say they synthesized human embryos from stem cells

After a decade of work, researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science say they have managed to create stem cell-derived human embryo models outside the uterus.

The advance could help scientists better understand healthy and unhealthy embryonic development. It also has implications for studying the genetics of various organs, the possible growing of organs for transplantation, and the investigation of the effects of pharmaceuticals on embryos.

The discovery was shared Thursday in a pre-print version of a paper that is in advanced stages of revision at a prestigious peer-reviewed journal.