London - Scientists in Britain have claimed a breakthrough
that could end male infertility by creating human sperm in the
laboratory, according to a report in the journal Stem Cells and
Development Wednesday.
But other experts immediately cast doubt on the claim, saying that
the cells did not constitute 'authentic' sperm with all the necessary
biological characteristics.
Researchers at Newcastle University in northern England said they
had produced fully mature, functional cells, grown from stem cells
from a male embryo, which they call In-Vitro Derived (IVD) sperm.
Professor Karim Nayernia, who led the research at Newcastle
University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute (Nesci),
said the cells were observed 'to split and divide and then eventually
push out a tail and begin to move.'
'This understanding could help us develop new ways to help couples
suffering infertility so they can have a child which is genetically
their own,' he wrote.
Nayernia had previously undertaken similar research at Goettingen
university in Germany, where stem cell experiments are illegal, as
they are in Britain. He called for the introduction of laws in
Britain 'sooner rather than later' to control the research.
Nayernia stressed that the scientists had made no attempt to
fertilize human eggs with the sperm, but insisted that the
development would lead to a better understanding of why infertility
happened in men, and what caused it.
The scientists said as well as being prohibited by British law,
fertilization of human eggs and implantation of embryos would hold no
scientific merit for them as they wanted to study the process as a
model for research.
'While we can understand that some people may have concerns, this
does not mean that humans can be produced 'in a dish' and we have no
intention of doing this,' said Nayernia.
The team also believes that studying the process of forming sperm
could lead to a better understanding of how genetic diseases are
passed on.
The technique developed at Newcastle involved prompting embryonic
stem cells to become 'germline' stem cells - cells that can pass
their genetic material to future generations.
Nayernia said the research was in its early stages and more
investigation was needed to decide whether IVD sperm would be safe or
suitable as a fertility treatment.
He believed that in a decade such a treatment could be offered to,
for example, young boys who had received chemotherapy which can leave
them infertile.
However, other experts commenting on the work expressed doubt
about what had been achieved.
Allen Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of
Sheffield, said: 'As a sperm biologist of 20 years' experience, I am
unconvinced from the data presented in this paper that the cells
produced ... can be accurately called 'spermatozoa'.'
Professor Azim Surani, from Cambridge University, added: 'These
sperm-like cells made in a dish from embryonic stem cells are a long
way from being authentic sperm cells.'
Criticism of the research also came from ethical campaigners.
The group Comment on Reproductive Ethics said: 'This is an example
of immoral madness. Perfectly viable human embryos have been
destroyed in order to create sperm over which there will be huge
questions of their healthiness and viability. It's taking one life in
order to create another.'
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