Stem Cells Helping Infertility in Men?
In a new breakthrough in stem cell research, and another reason stem cell research advocates should be badgering Bush to let up on the governmental thumb, researchers have been able to produce baby mice by using sperm grown in laboratory “petrie dishes” if you will, from the controversial embryonic stem cells. This most likely means that the same logic will go for humans, so the findings may be a great stride in treating male infertility.
The scientists harvested the embryos from which the stem cells came from very early term mouse embryos, and helped them through various developmental stages until they resembled sperm cells, or “gametes” is the medical term.
The sperm that was formed was then implanted into female mouse eggs, which were then implanted into a female mouse uterus. 7 total offspring resulted, and 6 of those offspring made it to adulthood as normal mice.
Why stem cells, and how do they “become” sperm?
Stem cells are actually what have been dubbed the “master of all cells” in the body that can morph into other cell types. This is why stem cell research is so priceless. The implications extend far beyond fertility, and into paralysis research, since one day we may be able to regrow precious nerve cells for people who’ve had damaged nerves. The debate is really somewhat of a religious one, since some view destroying early stage stem cells as a form of “murder”, or messing with God’s creation.
