Babies Made from Bone Marrow: The New Frontier of Baby-Making

Babies have been made from bone marrow in the past, but now researchers are starting to use it more frequently as an alternative to egg donors and sperm donors. The idea of using bone marrow to make babies may sound like science fiction, but we’re closer than you think. In fact, the first baby was born last month after doctors used this technology to help her conceive. We look at the new frontier of baby-making and whether or not we’ll start seeing this in IVF clinics soon in the near future.

Who are they?

They are babies made from bone marrow. This new frontier of baby-making is made possible by a technique called in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF involves taking eggs from the mother and fertilizing them with the father's sperm in a lab. Then, the embryo is implanted into the mother's uterus. The process is expensive and typically only attempted if the parents have fertility problems.

In contrast, babies created from bone marrow are grown inside a lab dish before being transferred to the womb. Researchers at Cornell University use genetic material extracted from umbilical cord blood to make these blank embryos using an automated cell culture system that could be described as similar to making sourdough bread or cheese -- except this bread or cheese will eventually grow up to be your child!

These cells can then be turned into any other type of cell--meaning they can become cells that form blood vessels or bones--and implant back into the same person they came from. Cord blood stem cells can also create brain cells, heart muscle cells, insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, nerve tissue, spinal tissue and more.

In theory it sounds amazing; but not everyone is convinced that it's a good idea to go ahead with such research.

Why go through this process?

When it comes to having children, there are many different paths that people can take. For some, the traditional route of intercourse and pregnancy is the best option. However, for others, this simply isn't possible. This is where bone marrow babies come in. In a process called in vitro gametogenesis, stem cells are taken from an adult's bone marrow and turned into eggs or sperm. Then these cells are mixed with a partner's sperm or egg and implanted into the womb to grow into a fetus. The first successful birth using this method was in 1987 but scientists have been able to perfect the technique over time. Today, it's even possible for those without reproductive organs to create their own child through IVF!

How much does it cost?

If you're considering having a baby made from bone marrow, you're probably wondering how much it will cost. Here's a breakdown of the costs associated with this new and exciting baby-making technology. The price of IVF is going to depend on which country you live in. In the United States, each cycle can range anywhere from $12,000 to $14,000. In India or Spain, however, one cycle may only be around $5,000-$6,000. Cost will also depend on what type of donor your partner needs - for example an egg donor might cost around $4-$8k whereas sperm donors are often free or discounted for donors who are available often or don't live too far away. The success rate for IVF ranges between 30% and 45%, depending on factors like age and other medical conditions like endometriosis that might need to be treated first before IVF can even begin.

Where can you do it?

There are a few places in the world where you can go to get your baby made from bone marrow. One is the Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands. Another is China's Shenzhen Gestational and Perinatal Hospital. And there are a few others sprinkled around the globe. It's still new, so we don't know yet how this will shake out, but what we do know is that it'll be interesting to watch!

What do you need to qualify?

If you're interested in having a baby made from your bone marrow, there are a few things you need to know. First, you need to be in good health and have a compatible blood type with the person who will be carrying the baby. Second, you'll need to undergo a series of tests to make sure you're a good candidate for the procedure. Third, you'll need to find a qualified doctor who is experienced in performing the procedure. Fourth, you'll need to have the financial resources to cover the cost of the procedure. Fifth, you'll need to be prepared for the possibility that the baby may not be healthy. Sixth, you'll need to be prepared for the emotional challenges that come with having a baby made from your bone marrow. Seventh, if you think you might want more than one child at some point in the future, this procedure is not for you. Eighth, women should only consider this option if they are 30 or older and men should only consider it if they are 40 or older. Ninth, all adults considering this option should speak with their partner about it before taking any steps forward. Tenth, finally we must emphasize that while this process has been shown to work well on occasion--in many cases the woman's eggs don't fertilize or she miscarries--there is no guarantee of success when using this technique to conceive a child

So, can I really have a baby using my own cells?

Yes, it is possible to have a baby using your own cells. This is known as fetal cell transplantation and it is a new frontier in baby-making. There are two ways this can be done - an embryo can be created from the donated egg and the woman's cells or the fetus can be grown inside the woman's womb. One experiment has already been done where a mother had her fertilized eggs removed and then transferred them into her own womb. The eggs were made with her husband's sperm and her bone marrow stem cells. A team of doctors put them back into her womb, one by one, and she became pregnant naturally with twins - they're now seven years old! Although experiments like these are still rare, it will soon become much more common because scientists are getting better at understanding how to manipulate these embryos so that they develop normally inside their mommy's body.

What’s next for this type of procedure?

This type of procedure is still in its infancy, but there are already plans to refine it and make it more accessible to couples who want to have a baby. Researchers are working on ways to improve the success rate of the procedure and to make it less expensive. In the future, this type of procedure may become the preferred method for couples who want to have a baby. It’s not too far off before scientists can create sperm cells using bone marrow and eggs derived from stem cells; the research has been pioneered by Nobel Prize-winning Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka. For now, while procedures like these are likely to remain highly specialized, we will probably see them slowly enter mainstream usage as doctors continue refining the techniques.

How long before we have designer babies?

The idea of designer babies has been around for a while, but it's only recently that the technology to make them has become available. And while there are still some ethical concerns to be worked out, it's not hard to imagine a future in which parents can pick and choose the physical and mental traits of their children.