Scientists in Newcastle have scored a world first by creating what they claim is artificial human sperm.
They "prompted" embryonic stem cells to divide their chromosomes, then grow tails and become sperm cells.
It is hoped the technique could eventually allow infertile men to become fathers.
Although it would be illegal in the UK to use the artificial sperm to produce a baby, the scientists behind the technique say they want the law changed to help infertile men.
Professor Karim Nayernia, from the North East England Stem Cell Institute, said his team has no intention of using their breakthrough to produce humans in the laboratory.
But he wants legislation to be put in place "sooner rather than later" to allow the technique to be licenced as a treatment for infertile men.
"This work is a way of investigating why some people are infertile and the reasons behind it," he said.
"If we have a better understanding of what's going on it could lead to new ways of treating infertility."
They have named the cells they created "In Vitro Derived" or IVD sperm.
Other eminent scientists have urged caution saying that the breakthrough has not demonstrated that the artificial sperm cells are capable of producing a viable embryo.
Dr Allan Pacey, Senior Lecturer in Andrology at the University of Sheffield, said he is unconvinced that the cells produced by Professor Nayernia's group are fully functional sperm cells.
"Whilst the cells produced may possess some of the distinctive genetic features and molecular markers seen in sperm, fully differentiated human spermatozoa have specific cellular morphology, behaviour and function," he said.
Azim Surani, Professor of Physiology and Reproduction at the University of Cambridge, said the artificial cells are a "long way" from being authentic sperm cells.
Professor Nayernia hit back by claiming his work was being subjected to "unreasonable" criticism.
"Our intention was to open up new avenues of research with these early findings," he said.
"My research group believes this is a very important and exciting step forward and we will continue to develop this area of research."
Selam aleykum, always funny how these newsarticles make it seem like the technology is far more advanced then it actually is.
they didn't "create" artificial cells. Instead they "manipulated"existing cells to change form. If you say it like this, that's a whole different thing innit?
Wallaahu Aalim. I don't think they can create something so complicated, it just doesn't make any sense. When they cannot create a single cell with so much compliacted DNA, how can they create a sperm? It doesn't work.
Stem cells have the ability to become any organ or cell [including sperm cells] in the body. That's why when the egg and sperm fertilize - they form lots of stem cells, which later on become your different organs, and finally you.
So this would happen when a baby boy is in his mommys womb anyway. And this is why you males out there have sperms in your body.
So its not really playing God. Its just like using wood, altering it slightly to make a table.
Selam aleykum, always funny how these newsarticles make it seem like the technology is far more advanced then it actually is.
they didn't "create" artificial cells. Instead they "manipulated"existing cells to change form. If you say it like this, that's a whole different thing innit?
Semantics sells newspapers though.
And I'm glad they are not 'artificial' cells and that they were not 'created'. I was thinking if that were the case, they might be nanomachines or something. Which would be disgusting.
who says this synthesized sperm is good enough for its job?
all sperms aren't created equal even so in the human body... I know it is an inappropriate subject for this forum, but you should google, different sperm functions.. some fertilize some do other things ..
anyhow, I like stem cell research for its potential in curing deadly disease, but I really dislike the whole breakdown of a family unit by various means, be it donated sperms or manufactured sperm or women turning men turning women for a brief period to jack some money and then give birth to more borrowed sperm, where brothers and sisters from the same donor end up marrying down the line..
what is the point of all of this?
Text without context is pretext If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him
My research group believes this is a very important and exciting step forward and we will continue to develop this area of research."
World population is racing towards overcapacity, and we want to find ways of creating more babies, it seems more like madness than exciting. Not to mention the morality of creating life in this way.
In the spirit of praying for families and justice for all children
Eric
You will never look into the eyes of anyone who does not matter to God.
They should be worried about curing cancer and not giving kids to infertile women.
Oh really? Would you be saying that if your wife (God forbid) couldn't have children? If you were married to someone who couldn't have children, wouldn't you do everything in your power to try to change that? It goes without saying that everything you would do would have to be halal. If something is permissible in Islam, and can help women that can not conceive, then why not try it? Seriously man, think about what you say before you say it.
And what, is it an either or thing? Either cure cancer or help infertile women? Why can't both be done? Should everything be dropped in order to find a cure for cancer? Forget dealing with all the other difficulties in life, because the only one that matters is cancer? Everyone has different problems in life, and we should try our best to fix them all.
They should be worried about curing cancer and not giving kids to infertile women.
Huh, they are creating sperm not egg cells. This is a treatement for infertile men, not infertile women.
Besides, what is wrong with it? Why dou don't think people who have somekind of medical condition that prevents them from reproducing naturally should be helped?
Oh btw, the problem with this, is that if they take the stemcells of a 30 year old male, and then turn it into a sperm cell, and fertilise an egg with it, then if a child is born, his cells will all be 30 years old! The buffer at the end of the chromosomes that is cut every time the cell splits will be allot shorter, and the child's physiological age will be influenced by this.
Only one thing worries me after seeing, I wonder if the woman of this world have already started fantasizing about a world without males. Oh my God! Are males no longer required?:X:scared:
If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (Alone) let believers put their trust.
Surah Ale Imran : 160
It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) climbed up Uhud, accompanied by Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthmaan, and the mountain shook with them. He struck it with his foot and said: “Stand firm, O Uhud, for there is no one on you but a Prophet or a Siddeeq or two martyrs.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3483)
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Taala) does not inspire seeking forgiveness in a slave whom he wishes to punish.
Only one thing worries me after seeing, I wonder if the woman of this world have already started fantasizing about a world without males. Oh my God! Are males no longer required?:X:scared:
ouch, a planet full of women drivers and d.i.y.ers without structure or restraint, I can see the emergence of gossip shops, overloaded telephone networks and week long shopping sprees. There wont be any time left for artificial sperms to be artificially inseminated in order to accrue artificial human females. Scary, theres enough artificial women in dunya as it is. Allah is the only Creator, these "scientists" are merely playing with an already perfect and un-matcheable creation. If they really wanted to help ppl to be parents maybe they should devise a system to prevent existing parents and children from dying of starvation.
"O ye who belive! Endure, outdo all others in endurance, be ready, and observe your duty to Allah, in order that you may succeed"
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Scientists Create 'Artificial Human Sperm'
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