‘Female sperm’, made from stem cells, could do away with men

A new research by British scientists raises the prospect of babies...

A new research by British scientists raises the prospect of babies being born through entirely artificial means, and possibly sidelining men from the process of creating life.

Even as researchers at Newcastle upon Tyne University say their technique will create new treatments for infertility, critics fear that by turning female bone marrow into sperm, it could remove men from the process of creating life.

According to New Scientist magazine, the researchers envisage taking stem cells from a woman donor’s bone marrow and transform them into sperm through the use of special chemicals and vitamins, the Daily Mail of Britain reported on Thursday.

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Prof Karim Nayernia of Newcastle has sought permission from the authorities for starting the experiment within the next two months.

The biologist believes early-stage ‘female sperm’ could be produced within two years while mature sperm capable of fertilising eggs might take three more years.

The research promises to provide an invaluable insight into the problem and cure of infertility.

On a different level, it also sets the stage for lesbian couples and gay men to have children that are biologically their own.