Scientists create sperm!

Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:49 pm » by **Badger**

Is this the end of mans input into fertility?!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8138963.stm
By Fergus Walsh
BBC medical correspondent

Scientists in Newcastle claim to have created human sperm in the laboratory in what they say is a world first.

The researchers believe the work could eventually help men with fertility problems to father a child.

But other experts say they are not convinced that fully developed sperm have been created.

Writing in the journal Stem Cells and Development, the Newcastle team say it will be at least five years before the technique is perfected.

They began with stem cell lines derived from human embryos donated following IVF treatment.

The stem cells had been removed when the embryo was a few days old and were stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen.

By Fergus Walsh
BBC medical correspondent

Scientists in Newcastle claim to have created human sperm in the laboratory in what they say is a world first.

The researchers believe the work could eventually help men with fertility problems to father a child.

But other experts say they are not convinced that fully developed sperm have been created.

Writing in the journal Stem Cells and Development, the Newcastle team say it will be at least five years before the technique is perfected.

They began with stem cell lines derived from human embryos donated following IVF treatment.

The stem cells had been removed when the embryo was a few days old and were stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen.

Professor Karim Nayernia at Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute says: "This is an important development as it will allow researchers to study in detail how sperm forms and lead to a better understanding of infertility in men - why it happens and what is causing it.

"This understanding could help us develop new ways to help couples suffering infertility so they can have a child which is genetically their own.

"It will also allow scientists to study how cells involved in reproduction are affected by toxins, for example, why young boys with leukaemia who undergo chemotherapy can become infertile for life - and possibly lead us to a solution."

However, Professor Nayernia stressed the researchers had no intention of "producing human life in a dish".

"The quality of the images is not of sufficiently high resolution and I would need more data. They are early sperm, but functional tests would be needed to know exactly what has been achieved."

The sperm cannot be used for fertility treatment as this is prohibited under UK law. The scientists in Newcastle say it will be at least five years before the technique is perfected - when they believe it should be available to help infertile men.

This research also raises ethical issues. Josephine Quintavalle from Comment on Reproductive Ethics (Corethics) said: "This is an example of immoral madness. Perfectly viable human embryos have been destroyed in order to create sperm over which there will be huge questions of their healthiness and viability.

"It's taking one life in order to perhaps create another. I'm very much in favour of curing infertility but I don't think you can do whatever you like."

But John Harris, Professor of Bioethics at the University of Manchester, said: "I don't see any problems with the use of synthetic, or laboratory produced sperm.

"They will initially be used to make discoveries about the way sperm are formed and how problems arise, and that will be beneficial.

"Eventually it will be used to solve male infertility and that will be wholly beneficial.

"It seems to me this is one of those examples where people are groping around for a problem and there literally isn't one."

Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:44 pm » by **Rizze**

I can't believe that man, has just become redundant in the baby making stakes........ oh jeez, could be the end of the male species.

I know there is a lot more to it... this was my first thought on the matter.

Sorry I can't add anything further.

Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:48 pm » by **Kyo121**

just a thought but...are there any other animals that have the same problem as humans regarding sperm productions? I mean naturally lack the ability to produce sperm that is, i know about animal contaminated by chemicals have gone sterile.

Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:49 pm » by **Blacky**

Well thats me out of a job!!!

Thats all my lady says im good for!! :lol:

Trying my hardest not to let here see this,hidden the paper from her already! :lol:

Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:52 pm » by **Eaganthorn**

Way too easy to make a joke here.

Scientists create sperm!-Most scientists do eventually find their penis.
Scientists create sperm!-Big deal Mep does this in his own "ass hat" daily.
Scientists create sperm!-Women create babies!
Scientists create sperm!-Sure took them long enough!
Scientists create sperm!-See, you could ride this wave for days!

Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:57 pm » by **brillbilly**

servival of the fittest just turned in to selection of the ritchest,lol,i will go spank my monkey and save for a rainy day :dancing:

Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:58 pm » by **Hesop**

As much is thrown away every day, you'ld think they'ld have no need for this.

Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:04 pm » by **Nuada**

hesop wrote:As much is thrown away every day, you'ld think they'ld have no need for this.

hahahahaha. one of the funniest pictures i've seen in ages. Dynamite mate.

I do have a problem though with scientific meddling in certain aspects of life - and this is one of them.

Sperm is and should only be created by man/ men.

What the hell is going on here?

Enough is enough......or as they say in latin america...ya basta

Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:16 pm » by **brillbilly**

why waste all that time making it when a goooooood" lets say heathy adult film" is all it takes " :dancing:

oh and nice pics of mother nature.lol

Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:54 pm » by **Blacky**

brillbilly wrote:why waste all that time making it when a goooooood" lets say heathy adult film" is all it takes " oh and nice pics of mother nature.lol