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The ups and downs of somatic cell nucleus transfer (SCNT) in humans

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Abstract

Achieving successful somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in the human and subhuman primate relative to other mammals has been questioned for a variety of technical and logistical issues. Here we summarize the gradual evolution of SCNT technology from the perspective of oocyte quality and cell cycle status that has recently led to the demonstration of feasibility in the human for deriving chromosomally normal stem cells lines. With these advances in hand, prospects for therapeutic cloning must be entertained in a conscientious, rigorous, and timely fashion before broad spectrum clinical applications are undertaken.

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Acknowledgments

HF is supported from GACR P302/11/P069. JFJr is supported from GACR 13-03269S. DFA is supported by a grant from the ESHE Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Animal Science, 104 00, Prague 10, Czech Republic

    Josef Fulka Jr. & Helena Fulka

  2. GENNET, Prague, Czech Republic

    Alena Langerova

  3. University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy

    Pasqualino Loi & Grazyna Ptak

  4. Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA

    David Albertini

Authors
  1. Josef Fulka Jr.
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  2. Alena Langerova
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  3. Pasqualino Loi
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  4. Grazyna Ptak
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  5. David Albertini
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  6. Helena Fulka
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Josef Fulka Jr..

Additional information

Capsule This paper is dedicated to the memory of Keith Campbell (1954–2012), a pioneer in the field of somatic cell nuclear transfer.

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Fulka, J., Langerova, A., Loi, P. et al. The ups and downs of somatic cell nucleus transfer (SCNT) in humans. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 1055–1058 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0053-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0053-7

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