The end of men?

[Rocket36]

from: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574...65-401,00.html

World's first test-tube sperm created

By staff writers
NEWS.com.au
July 08, 2009 02:00pm

SCIENTISTS have created the very first laboratory-grown human sperm using stem cells.

The UK researchers used stem cells from donated human embryos to grow sperm at their Newcastle laboratory.
The first ever "test-tube sperm" may help identify fertility issues, but the scientists do not believe that their creation should be used to impregnate women, the Press Association reports.

The BBC reports that the scientists extracted stem cells from a donated embryo.

After being stored in a tank of liquid nitrogen, the stem cells were heated to body temperature and put in a special chemical mixture.

Cells used to develop sperm were then extracted from the mixture. Within six weeks, the cells had grown into sperm.
The results of the experiment were published in the Stem Cells and Development journal and a video of the sperm has been released by the team.

Researcher Karim Nayernia, who led the team of scientists from Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute, said the history-making process may take five years to perfect.

"This understanding could help us develop new ways to help couples suffering infertility so they can have a child which is genetically their own," Professor Nayernia said.

"It will also allow scientists to study how cells involved in reproduction are affected by toxins, for example, why young boys with leukaemia who undergo chemotherapy can become infertile for life - and possibly lead us to a solution."

But a sperm biologist from the University of Sheffield told the BBC that he did not think the sperm were fully developed.

"The quality of the images is not of sufficiently high resolution and I would need more data," Dr Allan Pacey said.

"They are early sperm, but functional tests would be needed to know exactly what has been achieved."

[gareth_oau]

so who's going to put the rubbish bin out?

[team_v]

The male Y Chromosome is diminishing over time anyway.
In the next 10k-100k years it will dissapear completely so i guess this is a way we can maintain the male population and the ongoing human life.

[Mrk_Mickey]

Long live the Y!

I'm goin strong

[Spyda]

The male Y Chromosome is diminishing over time anyway.
In the next 10k-100k years it will dissapear completely so i guess this is a way we can maintain the male population and the ongoing human life.

10k-100k years!? The human population will be luck to make it throught the next 50-100years.

[Greg Roles]

The male Y Chromosome is diminishing over time anyway.
In the next 10k-100k years it will dissapear completely so i guess this is a way we can maintain the male population and the ongoing human life.

Nah, it just knows the odds against keeping it's female counterpart, the X, happy, and just goes down the testicular equivalent of the pub instead.

[Blitzen]

I just had a good old laugh when I thought about that article, but I dare not write it here as I'm sure someone would not like it....Needles to say, the porn industry may suffer!!!

[racerrachy]

but who will work on my car and give me cheap parts?
HAHAHAH

[mikepologti]

but who will work on my car and give me cheap parts?
HAHAHAH

some les,.... um ahhhh alternative thinking , rather butch looking gal from the local servo. lol

[Preen59]

but who will work on my car and give me cheap parts?
HAHAHAH

You already swear and act like a tradesman so you may as well start doing the work they do...