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Mouse Sperm Cells Grown In Vitro

smitty777 writes "In what is being hailed as a breakthrough in male infertility, researchers from Muenster and Ben Gurion Universities were able to actually grow mouse sperm cells in a petri dish. Researchers feel this is just a short step away from human in vitro sperm cell production. The details of how this will be accomplished are still being worked out. FTA: '[According to Professor Richard Sharpe], "What this research shows is that it will be possible to make human sperm outside the body. The germ cells just need the right environment. That's the tricky part getting them to think they are in the testes." Professor Sharpe believes that one novel way may make.it possible. He proposes using a live mouse as a "host" to make human sperm. He said: "What you would do is take some human testicular tissue with germ cells and place that under the skin of the mouse and use it to incubate the cells. You could then extract any sperm and use it in fertility treatment. But we would have to demonstrate that there were no mouse cells present in the extracted sperm if we were to use this technique and I believe that's possible."'"

4 of 121 comments (clear)

  1. Re:This will finally make men obsolete. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    and militant feminists will rule the world!

    At that point I request death by Snu Snu.

  2. Dominant Females by Master+Moose · · Score: 5, Funny

    So now they propose using mice as some sort of external testicles. (furry flesh bags used for containing and growing sperm). Small and portable enough to carry in a pocket, purse or such?

    People used to tell me that my wife carried my balls in her handbag - this brings it closer to relaity.

    --
    . . .gone when the morning comes
    1. Re:Dominant Females by PPH · · Score: 5, Funny

      Either way, she screams and jumps up on a chair when she sees them.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
  3. Re:There are enough people. by similar_name · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Realistically doesn't this just make it more likely for people with defective genes to reproduce?

    Doesn't most medical and technological advancement?