Scientists create sperm from female stem cells

A research team at the University of Newcastle has created primitive sperm cells with female embryonic stem cells.

The breakthrough could lead to same-sex couples producing children with both their genes.

Karim Nayernia, Professor of Stem Cell Biology at Newcastle University, told New Scientist:

"I think, in principle, it will be scientifically possible."

He and his team of researchers will now apply for permission from the university to attempt to turn female bone marrow into sperm, a more practical method than manipulating embryonic stem cells.

[Kooky Gay]

How Wonderful! The Extremist Women's Rights Groups along with their Lesbian Sisters can now reproduce more of their kind! Go ahead, Who Cares???? I certainly don't believe that this should be supported in any way by the tax paying public.

[Laurie]

Two gay people do not necessarily have a gay offspring. I'm saying a gay male sperm doner and a lesbian mother would not be certain or even likely to have a gay baby. So Kooky Gay in Columbus,Ohio shouldn't need to worry about this so much! I am thrilled that two women in a committed relationship may someday be able to have a child that is actually part of both of them! As far as taxes supporting this research, I believe that it won't cost Kooky as much as he or she is paying for this unjustified war we are now in!

[Gay And Proud]

This technology will hardly be used exclusively by lesbians. I can see plenty of instances coming up when a heterosexual man proves to be infertile, and has a sister who can donate genetic material so that the man can father a child, that will be genetically related to him, with his wife.

If the technology is bad for lesbian couples then it will also have to be bad for heterosexual couples. You can't have it both ways!

[Leon]

Laurie- This "unjustified war" has been going on for 1500 years. My great grandmother was raped, killed and raped some more by Muslims just because she was Christian.

How's that for women's rights?

As to the sperm, more power to them. I think it shouldn't have government backing, but I think that it is wonderful for those who want to have their genes continue with their partner.

[Tookitintheshort s]

I bet "Nigels happy now" no more taking it up the Garry

[Tre H]

Sounds interesting, but what a boring way to create sperm ;)

[Lise Yates]

Leon wrote:

Laurie- This "unjustified war" has been going on for 1500 years. My great grandmother was raped, killed and raped some more by Muslims just because she was Christian.
How's that for women's rights?
As to the sperm, more power to them. I think it shouldn't have government backing, but I think that it is wonderful for those who want to have their genes continue with their partner.

It'll never leave the science lab phase without government backing. Are you refering to the government paying for a specific couple? I'm sure if this became a medical practice, private cictzens will have to pay their way just like with other medical issues.

[blitzblatz]

Running out of sperm donors, I see.

[Black Cherry]

It's about damn time.
As a lesbian with a partner who wants to have children that have both our genes, I am ecstatic.
The government can fund the research that brings about the technology since it will become a medical practice enjoyed by ALL.
Funds for Individual procedures, however, must be absorbed by the couple wishing to procreate.

No more turkey basters! W00T!

I know a lot of lesbians who can't get a male donor, or don't want anything to do with males (no offense to males, but I'm sure gay males who don't want anything to do with females can relate), don't have to deal with them now! YAY!

Of course straight males will be horribly threatened having just been made totally obsolete by science. ;) But then, they can still buy their women drinks and open doors.

[Momo_xx]

Black Cherry, it's what you said about being obsolete that has continued to disgust me. Women already have these gross views of men.

Can't wait until they perfect male pregnancy. Then I can be less bitter.

[Kevin]

Kooky Gay wrote:

How Wonderful! The Extremist Women's Rights Groups along with their Lesbian Sisters can now reproduce more of their kind! Go ahead, Who Cares???? I certainly don't believe that this should be supported in any way by the tax paying public.

Of course not, you are a closed minded, bigot. Whatother reaction could you have.

[Kevin]

Some Christians of today are intolerant of gays. Many gays believe in God of their understanding as the Jews, Mormons, Hindus, Muslins all which differ from the religious hate groups that purport to know the bible and God than their fellow men. It is interesting. God left a will and testament but then voided the old testament with the new testament. Many Christians defy Gods Will and Testament by subscribing to the voided Will. How they act so righteously asserting what Gods will is when it is clearly outlined in the last and new testament. I hope when these Christians die, as all men do, their heirs find a previous will and testament and defy the current or legtitmate one.

[Gods warrior]

This is awesome, women are one step away from being able to marry with a legitimate reason!

[Gods warrior]

Black Cherry wrote:

I know a lot of lesbians who can't get a male donor, or don't want anything to do with males (no offense to males, but I'm sure gay males who don't want anything to do with females can relate), don't have to deal with them now! YAY!

It's about time a homosexual admitted this is real and alive in the gay community.

[Gay And Proud]

As we've pointed out before, this technology will hardly be exclusive to lesbians who want to have a child.

If the reasons are automatically wrong for lesbians to pursue a child through this new technology, then it should also be automatically wrong for heterosexuals who do the same.

If the only acceptable way to have a child is through a heterosexual union and only the biological parents are allowed to be the parents (as is implied by most of the homophobic arguments against new reproductive technologies) then the prohibition applies to heterosexual couples too.

Are we really willing to deny potential parents the ability to have children through whatever means? Are we really willing to condemn orphans and other children who can not be raised by their biological parents to a life in institutional care?

[comic1]

Finally!
Now women really can go f#%& themselves!

[BBQ Twist]

I hope you are all yucking it up. But for the many childless couples this is a new avenue for them to pursue in their quest to bear children.

[Rich]

my fantasy is to impregnate a Lesbian. I am Swm, sexy and in good health. I think that a woman finally beimg able to impregnate another woman is a breakthrough but it puts us out of a job. soon gay guys will be somehow getting each other pregnant and using lesbians to carry a baby conceived of the both of them . who do i talk to about giving sperm to a lesbian . [e-mail]

[Rich]

It would be my dream to marry a lesbian. It would be .like me being Tony Nelson and my wife being a Genie.

[Lawrence Wolf]

Boy, and I thought I felt useless before.