Jimbo 175 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 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. The stem cells were brought to body temperature and put in a chemical mixture to encourage them to grow. They were "tagged" with a genetic marker which enabled the scientists to identify and separate so-called "germline" stem cells from which eggs and sperm are developed. The male, XY stem cells underwent the crucial process of "meiosis" - halving the number of chromosomes. The process over creating and developing the sperm took four to six weeks. 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". But Dr Allan Pacey, a sperm biologist at the University of Sheffield, said he was not convinced the sperm were fully developed. "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." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 11080 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 In other news; Dungaree and Bovva Boot sales looking very promising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I think the idea is to help infertile men father a child that is biologically theirs Jimbo Edit for Grammar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 175 Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 I'm surprised they didn't contact me, given my experience in sperm production Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I think the idea is to help infertile men father a child that is biologically there's Jimbo Mention sperm and there's Jimbo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 To think there's infertile men out there with the gallons he's wasted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 175 Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 "Did you know that every time a guy comes, he comes 200 million sperm? Did you know that? And you mean to tell me you think your child is special? Because one out of 200 million sperm connected . . . that load? Gee, what are the fucking odds? Do you know what that means? I have wiped entire civilizations off of my chest, with a grey gym sock. That is special. Entire nations have flaked and crusted in the hair around my navel, I have tossed universes, in my underpants, while napping. That is special." Bill Hicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15871 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Men: Soon to be a thing of the past ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccermom 0 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Men: Soon to be a thing of the past ? you'll be long gone by then babe, afterall you're a non-breeder anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peasepud 59 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 So they produced sperm in a laboratory? They get plaudits and yet Jimbo got sacked. Just another example of one rule for them one for the rest of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 So they produced sperm in a laboratory? They get plaudits and yet Jimbo got sacked. Just another example of one rule for them one for the rest of us. If only he'd been more subtle, although lab coats do chafe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 From some random blog :- The mistake women make is their (wrong) theory that all men actually care about future fatherhood. I'd have a heart attack if I found out my girlfriend was pregnant. The whole thing is something men generally get coerced into doing, by a nagging spouse. A world in which single women, create, look after and bring up babies, on their own- freeing up men to just play on the Xbox, sleep around, and frequent bars - well, it's some sort of magical dream. I just hope it happens in my lifetime. The whole serious relationship/marriage thing is a female driven thing. Most men would just play the field, and have a few girlfriends, if they could. An end to marriage, and traditional families. Who's going to care more, men or women? Seriously - I may send them a cheque, to speed up the research. Women working 9-5, cooking, cleaning, and solely creating and looking after children. But at the same time fancying men. That's some sweet dream. Hopping about from single mother to single mother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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