Embryonic germ cells are
derived from primordial germline cells in early fetal tissue during a narrow
window of development. Unlike embryonic
stem cells, animal experiments on embryonic germ cells have been limited. In November of 1998, the isolation, culture,
and partial characterization of germ cells derived from the gonadal ridge of
human tissue obtained from abortuses was reported.
These experiments showed that these EG cells
are capable of forming the three germ layers that make all the specific organs
of the body. There are fewer data from
animal EG cell experiments than from ES cell experiments, but it is generally
assumed that the range of potential fates will be relatively limited compared
to ES cells, because the EG cells are much further along in development (5-9
weeks as opposed to 5 days in the published experiments). Fetal tissue may provide committed neural
progenitors, but the feasibility of large scale sourcing and manufacturing of
products utilizing such cells is questionable.
Furthermore, the behavior of these cells in vivo is not well understood; significant research will be
required to avoid unwanted outcomes, including ectopic tissue formation
(additional, unwanted tissue), tumor induction, or other abnormal development.
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