Scientists have created human sperm using stem cells derived from a five-day-old male embryo, raising hopes that infertile men may be able to father their own biological children in the future. The breakthrough was achieved by Professor Karim Nayernia's research team at England's Newcastle University using embryonic stem cells which were first developed into germ line stem cells with half the number of chromosomes and then prompted to produce sperm which were fully mature and functional despite being made in a petri dish rather than a man's testes. The results are reported in Stem Cells and Development.
In another ongoing experiment Nayernia's researchers are creating stem cells out of skin cells with the same genetic make-up as he skin cells from which they are derived, a procedure which would allow infertile men to produce their own biological children, using only skin cells. POSTER COMMENT: Even though it's now possible to get one's own genetic map it probably will be a while before geneticists can tinker with a testtube's sperm's DNA bases to "correct" congenital defects, shortcomings or enhance offspring immune systems, etc. But if it's around the corner then might as well forget about the traditional method of conception, especially with the hazards it poses for the female partner.
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