LONDON: A team of British scientists claimed yesterday to have created human sperm using embryonic stem cells, in a medical first that they say will lead to a better understanding of fertility.
Researchers led by Professor Karim Nayernia at Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) developed a new technique that allows the creation of human sperm in the laboratory.
They stressed that the sperm, developed from stem cells with XY chromosomes (male), will not be used for fertility treatment, as this is prohibited by British law and in any case is not their main interest. “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,” said
Nayernia.
“It could help us develop new ways to help couples suffering infertility so they can have a child which is genetically their own.” He said more investigation was needed to decide whether the in-vitro derived (IVD) sperm, could be used as a fertility treatment. – AFP
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