Sperm Cells Grown in Lab

Recently, scientists in Japan made a stunning breakthrough with the use of sperm cells. The first ever sperm cells were grown in a test tube by Japanese scientists. With this accomplishment, it is hoped a new door has opened for treating male infertility. However, skeptics say growing sperm cells is just going too far, pushing the limits of nature.

Scientists at a Japanese university successfully produced sperm cells from testis tissue collected from male mice. It was then used to fertilize eggs, which produced healthy offspring. Although, this experiment was successful among mice, it has yet to be conducted for humans. It is hoped, one day this can be a treatment option for males with fertility complications, such as a low sperm count or abnormal sperm. Scientists also froze the tissue samples, later thawing the samples and producing the same results. If successful among humans, this could be a fertility option later in life for young boys who have undergone cancer treatment.

"Until now, none of the attempts have been wholly successful, and when the sperm have been used, the pups born have not been healthy and have soon died," said Dr. Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield.

The Controversy

The study regarding the lab-grown sperm cells was published in the journal Nature as a breakthrough in the medical community. These results may be the fertility option many have been seeking. However, many skeptics do not agree with growing human sperm cells. They argue, it defies nature and many moral beliefs.

As many people suffer from infertility, males often do not have many treatment options to turn to. If successful among humans, this can be the bright light many families are searching for, renewing their hope to one day achieve a family.

Others, however, view this breakthrough similarly to the use of stem cells. Many disagree with growing sperm cells because it is, after all, unnatural. Further testing and research needs to be compiled before scientist are able to even try to test this method with humans. Growing sperm cells with human testing is sure to increase the controversy level even further. If human testing is eventually approved, and the same results are produced in humans that occured with the laboratory mice, many men may have a new treatment option to turn to when dealing with infertility.

References:
"Sperm Grown in Labratory" Guardian
"Mouse Sperm Cells Grown in Labratory" RealClearScience