In what seems to be achieving the impossible, British scientists have managed to reverse the laws of nature by developing sperm cells from female human embryo. Prof Karim Nayernia, Professor of Stem Cell Biology at Newcastle University has achieved this feat. The primary difference between the sperm cell and the female embryonic cells is that the former contains the Y-chromosomes along with the X chromosomes while the latter contains only the X chromosomes. To make the primitive sperm cells developed from female embryo functional the challenge that lies ahead of the scientists is to make the primitive sperm cells undergo meiosis so that they contain the correct genetic materials capable of fertilization.

This new development has raised hope among lesbian couples desiring to have their own biological children. However, to develop babies from the method would take years. There will be a number of biological as well as ethical issues in developing babies through unnatural ways. The biological impediment would involve developing healthy humans from this method without any genetic defect. In an earlier experiment, Prof Nayernia had developed sperms from male embryonic stem cells, used them to fertilize egg cells, and developed seven mice pups. Six of these mice survived adulthood but had severe defects.

According to Dr. Robin Lovell-Badge of National Institute of Medical Research, Mill Hill, London this method of developing human embryo is ‘doubly-damned’. Firstly, presence of both X and Y-chromosomes is not possible from this method and secondly, you need Y chromosome genes to undergo meiosis.

Source: Telegraph175615