Scientists study embryos to understand developmental diseases (Picture: Getty)

Scientists report they have grown the early stages of a human embryo-like entity without using sperm, an egg or a womb.

The ’embryo model’ even releases hormones that triggered a positive pregnancy test.

However, the purpose of the embryo is to provide an ethical way of monitoring early human development. Synthetic embryos would not be allowed to progress beyond a matter of weeks.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

The embryo triggered a pregnancy test.