Human sperm created from embryonic stem cells - new frontier of the ethical war

[demoleft]

their work was published on july 8th 2009 in the academic journal "Stem Cells and Development".

the team of "researchers led by Professor Karim Nayernia at Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) have developed a new technique which has made the creation of human sperm possible in the laboratory." (Press Release, see below)

the aim of the research is clearly stated:

"Professor Nayernia 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.”" (Press Release, see below)

but it just takes a look at the papers to see that this is going to become the next front line of the ethical/religious war on research.

"Ethical storm flares as British scientists create artificial sperm from human stem cells" - titles the DailyMail online, and fuels a bit the typical terrors spread over by religious leaders here and there ("men 'fathering' children from beyond the grave").
The BBC is careful and more balanced. "'Lab-made sperm' fertility hope" - and the article is well balanced.
the italian La Repubblica (progressive) titles "Se l'uomo diventa inutile per fare i bambini" - 'if men become useless to breed children' - which is provocative, indeed. the article is balanced.

in all of them it is reminded that the UK laws hinder any use for fertility treatment, which is the object of any fight over research on stem cells.
but it is enough to quote the press release of the team work to be easy on that, and see it's all about research on INfertility:

"The IVD sperm will not and cannot be used for fertility treatment. As well as being prohibited by UK law, the research team say fertilization of human eggs and implantation of embryos would hold no scientific merit for them as they want to study the process as a model for research.

“While we can understand that some people may have concerns, this does not mean that humans can be produced ‘in a dish’ and we have no intention of doing this. This work is a way of investigating why some people are infertile and the reasons behind it. If we have a better understanding of what’s going on it could lead to new ways of treating infertility,” adds Professor Nayernia."
(Press Release, my bold)

here for the whole press release: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/press.release/item/human-sperm-created-from-embryonic-stem-cells1

since i live in italy and i know the dynamics of the religious reactions to any form of research involving stem cells - wait a couple of days and see if this is not going to become the next frontier of an ethical war.

the links:

daily mail, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1198132/Ethical-storm-flares-British-scientists-create-artificial-sperm-human-stem-cells.html

bbc, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5154026.stm

La Repubblica, http://www.repubblica.it/2009/06/sezioni/scienze/fecondazione-assistita/sperma-artificiale/sperma-artificiale.html

ciao DUers.

[WeDidIt]

1. But...EVERY sperm is sacred

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47P59ha9k9s

[demoleft]

2. haha - fantastic. and great avatar too. i love it. n/t

[Why Syzygy]

3. Brain cell = sperm. What's unique about that?

:rofl:

[demoleft]

4. good question - :P

:loveya:

[bluestateguy]

5. I'm glad to see the conservatives finally taking the Save the Fish movement seriously

nt

[Vidar]

6. Saving us from the dreaded sperm shortage.

[theoldman]

7. Men are no longer needed.

What is this world coming too.

[demoleft]

8. this is the millennium of women - and goddesses will rule...

...though i still have some faith in pleasure and fun.
the new role of man in the new era: human toy.
;)

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. Not with this method:

From the press release:

In the technique developed at Newcastle, stem cells with XY chromosomes (male) were developed into germline stem cells which were then prompted to complete meiosis - cell division with halving of the chromosome set. These were shown to produce fully mature, sperm called scientifically, In Vitro Derived sperm (IVD sperm).

In contrast, stem cells with XX chromosomes (female) were prompted to form early stage sperm, spermatagonia, but did not progress further. This demonstrates to researchers that the genes on a Y chromosome are essential for meiosis and for sperm maturation

[demoleft]

10. yes, yes. jokes apart...

...it is well stated and demonstrated that it would not work to replace men's ones.