The human mind never ceases to amaze me! Whether you consider it inhumane or a scientific miracle, British scientists have managed to create artificial primitive sperm from the stem cells of a female embryo. Prof Karim Nayernia, Professor of Stem Cell Biology at Newcastle University, made headlines in the past by creative primitive sperm from the stem cells of adult men, and is the one responsible for this new development in lab grown sperm. Though a major accomplishment, there is still more work to be done before these cells can properly fertilize human eggs. The primitive cells still have to be made to go through the process of meiosis in order to carry the right amounts of genetic material for fertilization.
The idea of lab grown sperm not only gives lesbian couples the ability to biologically conceive their own children without the aid of an outside male donor, but it also opens the doorway for further developments in artificial sperm cell creation and the preservation of the human race. Some scientists remain skeptical about how well these cells will actually work in producing human life due to the nonexistence of the necessary Y chromosome that carries most of the genetic information needed during fertilization.
As excited as I am about this development, I too have my levels of skepticism. As humans, we do have the power to create, but I am more of an advocate for the natural way of creating life through good old fashioned intercourse.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3323846/Sperm-cells-created-from-female-embryo.html
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