A study is to be presented Monday 20th June in Copenhagen by British scientists attempting to show the future that may be possible through stem-cell research. To the outrage of pro-life groups and evangelical Christians, the study will indicate how lab-created ova and sperm could be used to allow any couple, heterosexual or homosexual to produce children that contain the genetic identity of both partners.
Professor Henry Moore from the University of Sheffield’ Centre for Stem Cell Biology will give the presentation to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Moore has found that taking six lines of stem cells donated by any two people having vitro fertilisation treatment, would allow stem cells to be made into primordial germ cells and in ultimately into sperm and eggs.
Scientists have halted their work just short of actually creating eggs or sperm (gametes), but they will present the fact that there is a very strong chance that they could be produced in the future.
The scientists will also attempt to use the research to understand more clearly how ovaries and testes develop and how they can be affected by pollutants to the body. Moore reported, "Many scientists believe that environmental chemical pollutants that mimic the action of hormones might interfere with human development at this stage and cause congenital abnormalities, infertility and possibly cancer, in particular testicular cancer."
Although naturally infertile couples have been touted as being able to benefit from the treatment, fears have been raised from the research that a slippery slope in ethics may result as homosexuals may also wish to take advantage of this.
The new technology would allow in theory for DNA to be taken from a man and traded with the DNA in an egg. Once this is fertilised by a partner and carried in a surrogate mother, the resulting embryo could potentially be a genetic combination of the two men – creating a child from two men.
