If this discovery actually has the great significance for future stem-cell based research and therapies that is the basis for all the hoopla surrounding the announcement, then this discovery has made the same degree of progress towards producing viable embryos as towards producing new stem-cell based treatments that had previously been believed to be unachievable without using originally embryonic stem cells.
The origin of germ cells — i.e. sperm and egg cells — from embryonic cells occurs very, very early in embryonic development. It is therefore highly unlikely that a cell that has been been de-programmed, but not far enough back to produce germ cells, would have the capacity to produce an unlimited variety of other cell types. That’s such a critical differentiation process that it’s not located off on some minor tangent; IOW a cell that couldn’t do that would be a seriously defective embryonic cell lacking other key capabilities as well. And if it IS far enough back in the differentiation process to produce germ cells, it’s so close to a completely undifferentiated embryo that it’s very unlikely not to retain the capacity to develop into a full organism. Most identical twin humans arise at the blastocyst stage, which is after differentiation into at least 2 cell types has occurred, so at least through that stage, complete new organisms easily arise. In other words, you wouldn’t even need to de-program cells all the way back to the stage of a 4-8 cell embryo (i.e. totally undifferentiated) in order for them to produce viable embryos.
“Both studies used reprogramming of adult human cells to generate stem cells known as “induced pluripotent state cells” (iPSCs) that have all the properties of human embryonic stem cells.”
Source:http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NDVlNDBkYmE5YTUxODU2ZWFkOGUxMmY3NTNiNTk2ZmU=
Notice that these are not totipotent, nor do they require an egg. Pluripotent cells can not develope into a fetus. There is nothing in this process to indicate anything you have said, and you have provided no evidence for anything you say.
Just because someday a process might be created that can take this process further, and there is a slight possibility that embryos might someday be created through a similar process does not make it likely or relavent. It would appear that you are trying to antagonize those who believe that an embryo is a human life. Maybe you could write a nice fictional story about this new process you are so knowledgeable about. I am interested in the process described in this article, not some wild idea you have about the future of genetics.