Are Men Obsolete?

Summary Of “Scientists Grow Sperm From Bone Marrow” By Fiona Macrae

Author for Mail Online, Fiona Macrae has written and interesting article, detailing “a transplant technique…that could effectively remove men from the process of creating life.” Scientists have found a way to turn harvested stem cells into spermatagonial cells- “the cells that produce sperm in the testes.” One of the scientists working with the cells, Professor Nayernia, believes that “adding other cells, called sertoli cells, which nurse and nourish those sperm-producing cells- the cells could overcome” the issue of the spermatagional cells not producing sperm. In cells taken from mice, they have been able to fertilize eggs and have successfully manufactured seven baby mice that all suffered from defects and passed away prematurely. This technique has been very controversial and has raised a number of questions inquiring just how ethical the process is. (Macrae, 2007)

The fact that scientists have found a way to convert stem cells into spermatagional is quite interesting. It’s hard to believe that soon, if the practice is not outlawed, that there might even be a completely “non-natural” baby born. The idea seems valid, but at the same time, it seems as though there are some many things that could go wrong. Just as the article quotes, “Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.” Honestly, I want to support this, but there are so many things that could go awry in a situation like this that I think it would be to dangerous and cruel to the babies born to attempt at the time being.

Macrae, F. (2007, May 12). Scientists Grow Sperm From Bone Marrow. Retrieved September 11, 2014, from Daily Mail Online website: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-448256/ Scientists-grow-sperm-bone-marrow.html