A new research study by British scientists raises the prospect of babies being born
through entirely artificial means, and possibly sidelining men from the process
of creating life.

Even as
researchers at Newcastle upon Tyne University say their technique will create
new treatments for infertility, critics fear that by turning female bone marrow
into sperm, it could remove men from the process of creating
life.

According to New
Scientist magazine, the researchers envisage taking stem cells from a woman
donor’s bone marrow and transform them into sperm through the use of special
chemicals and vitamins, the Daily Mail of Britain reported on
Thursday.

Professor Karim
Nayernia of Newcastle has sought permission from the authorities for starting
the experiment within the next two
months.

The biologist believes
early-stage ‘female sperm’ could be produced within two years while mature sperm
capable of fertilising eggs might take three more
years.

The research promises to
provide an invaluable insight into the problem and cure of
infertility.

On a different
level, it also sets the stage for lesbian couples and gay men to have children
that are biologically their own, further complicating the ethical and moral
debate over the issue in societies world wide.

Via Times of India