Sperm created in a laboratory

A scientific experiment could prove ground-breaking in helping infertile men produce children. A team of scientists at Newcastle University have created synthetic human sperm.

For the first time, sperm were grown from embryonic stem cells, the scientists claimed. This latest development in stem cell research suggests it may be possible to grow new reproductive cells from stem cells, meaning that men who don’t produce sperm could still father children.

However in Britain last year the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act banned the use of such in-vitro derived (IVD) sperm for reproduction so a change in the law would be required to use the sperm to that end.

The team of scientists was led by Professor Karim Nayernia, who said the IVD sperm had key traits of real sperm. “These cells have tails and a head, and they swim. The only cells in the body that are like that are sperm.” he added.

Other scientists believe further tests are needed to confirm the sperm were the real thing, but admitted the similarities the cells shared with sperm. Professor Nayernia agreed more research was needed.

Nayernia maintained that nevertheless, the findings were a represented a huge milestone in efforts to grow sperm from stem cells. He believes it could provide insights into fertility, and lead to a better understanding of infertility in men.

He said: “This is an important development as it will allow researchers to study in detail how sperm forms. This understanding could help us develop new ways to help couples suffering infertility so they can have a child which is genetically their own.”


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Does this news mean that we are on the brink of an era that doesn't need men to reproduce?