Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by klipt on Wednesday July 08, 2009 @05:41AM
(#693604)
It might also allow lesbian couples to conceive using only their own DNA, if this technology isn't limited to male genes.
Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by lucumo on Wednesday July 08, 2009 @05:55AM
(#693621)
You'd still need the Y-chromosome. While not as big as the others, it does contain some genetic material.
Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by gojomo on Wednesday July 08, 2009 @06:05AM
(#693630)
Not if they want a daughter.
Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by anthonyw on Wednesday July 08, 2009 @09:03AM
(#693798)
Some of his early work led to stories about “an end to men”, enabling lesbian couples to have their own biological children without male involvement but, according to Prof Nayernia, these were based on a “misunderstanding”.
“IVD sperm can only be produced from stem cells with male [XY] chromosomes,” he said. “Stem cells with female [XX] chromosomes can be prompted to form early-stage sperm but do not progress further. This demonstrates that the genes on a Y chromosome are essential for meiosis and sperm maturation.”
From: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1f16dfe8-6b2f-11de-861d-00144feabd...
Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by NickM on Wednesday July 08, 2009 @08:31AM
(#693762)
So if lesbians could reproduce...and they could only have daughters...and if it turns out there's a genetic predisposition towards lesbianism...
This is probably a completely ridiculous idea, but I wonder if men might someday be weeded out by "natural" selection.
Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by eru on Wednesday July 08, 2009 @08:40AM
(#693770)
Why? Male couples should be able to reproduce in the same way --- given enough money to rent out a womb (or the technology to create one). As an added bonus they can also create females.
Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by alexandros on Wednesday July 08, 2009 @08:01AM
(#693726)
and it follows then that women will be able to carry their own clones too..
Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by jodrellblank on Wednesday July 08, 2009 @06:08AM
(#693633)
"news.ychromasome.com. While not as big as the others, it does contain some material"?
Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by tybris on Wednesday July 08, 2009 @07:22AM
(#693684)
Yup, when the economy is down all the smart people rush back to science ;-).
Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by cousin_it on Wednesday July 08, 2009 @07:56AM
(#693716)
paternity tests can be used to rob unwitting men if someone decides to create a child without their knowledge
This would be a problem with the law, not a problem with the science.
Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by dantheman on Wednesday July 08, 2009 @09:55AM
(#693884)
Just pointing out that as science advances old techniques need to be updated. In no way was I implying that there was any problem with science.
Re:Scientists claim to have created human sperm in laboratory
by jeremyawon on Friday July 10, 2009 @08:32AM
(#697553)
an upside i haven't seen mentioned is birth control - if the technology were perfected, men could sterilize themselves without giving up the possibility of having children.
There are a lot of political/legal consequences of research like this, paternity tests can be used to rob unwitting men if someone decides to create a child without their knowledge. Also, this may eventually change the burden of proof in various forms of assault as the presence of sperm doesn't actually indicate that the individual involved was there.
On the flip side the upside is amazing, allowing sterile fathers to have children. And of course the technology is involved is amazing.