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British scientists were today claiming to have made medical history by creating human sperm in the laboratory.
The researchers said they had produced the In-Vitro Derived sperm from human embryonic stem cells.
The scientists at Newcastle University and the North East England Stem Cell Institute said the development would lead to a better understanding and treatment of infertility in men.
They stressed they had made no attempt to fertilise human eggs with the sperm.
Professor Karim Nayernia, who led the team, said: “This 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.”
The scientists produced cells which they described as “fully mature, functional sperm”. But other experts argued that the cells did not constitute “authentic” sperm with all the necessary biological characteristics.
The research is reported today in the journal Stem Cells and Development. The team said the sperm would not and could not be used for fertility treatment.
But sperm biologist Dr Allen Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield, said: “I am unconvinced from the data presented in this paper that the cells produced... can be accurately called spermatozoa'.”
Professor Azim Surani, from Cambridge University, added: “These sperm-like cells made in a dish from embryonic stem cells are a long way from being authentic sperm cells.”
Reader views (11)
Who is paying for these sperm making scientists. ?
- Mr S.Port, London
Great joke..... just ask any 16 year old boy if there is a shortage, then include the 60 year old's. Suppose it matters what you want to do with it.... sticks paper together really well, even bed sheets - Sperm was here before we where. All we dont need is some company patenting it... then we all screwed.
- Bondy1, london
Errrr? What's the point?
- Jc, London
I'm astounded by the luddite ignorance of commmenters here (although I should probably expect it). These kind of medical breakthroughs are not necessarily important in themselves, but in what they may mean for future research - the discovery of DNA or the mapping of the genome did not directly produce world changing science, they opened the door for more research and more discoveries.
And if you couldn't have kids you might think twice about making glib statements about over population (which is not a particular problem in Europe - quite the opposite in fact - too many old people and not enough young).
- Liberal And Proud, London, UK
There's a shortage?
- Mdj E10, london uk
"I've got a headache"? Nope, "I've got some artificial sperm"!
Should see a rise in the pub trade soon!
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
This is great now it means that I can clear out that lump of garbage in the corner, my partner.
Looks like women can rule the world after all
- Jane, London
Pointlesss people dont have a god given right to Children theer are enough uncared for ones in this country that should be in adoption schemes.
Being unfertile is obviously not something that everyone has to deal with but wasting money on an area that is of litle benefit to the vast majority of us just shows how selfish people are. Solve the energy fuel cell problem before this sort of stuff.
If you couldn't adopt you should seriously question whether you actully want children or are they just another form of the designer hand bag in your life.
- Duncan, Kent
Looks like our days are numbered lads...
- Jonny And Kiran, Bristol, England
It now looks like Professor Karim Nayernia just wanted to get his name mentioned in the media.
Come back when you've done something really worthwile professor.
- Mark H, London England
What a waste of money like the world needs more children. Let god and mother nature handle the creation and let science work on quality of life for the already breathing, or is solving Cancer too convoluted for Newcastle researchers?
This kind of research just cheapens life and is not worthy of merriment.
- Gary, Brentwood
