Testicle hope for stem cells
Friday, 24 Mar 2006 14:30
Testicle hope for stem cells
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Stem cells for scientific research may be able to be extracted from male testes, a new study has discovered.
In a study published in the journal Nature, Gerd Hasenfuss and his colleagues managed to isolate stem cells from adult mouse testes that exhibit properties similar to embryonic stem cells.
And following their breakthrough, the researchers propose that more studies are conducted on such methods so that the "technical and ethical difficulties" associated with generating stem cells from human embryos can be avoided.
By isolating sperm-producing stem cells in the testis of the mice, the scientists showed that some could be encouraged to grow into colonies similar to those found in embryonic stem cells.
Dubbed multipotent adult germline stem cells (maGSCs), Mr Hasenfuss and his team suggest that these cells now offer an alternative to the controversial use of human embryos for scientific research.
"The capacity to form multipotent cells persists in adult mouse testis," the researchers said.
"Establishment of human maGSCs from testicular biopsies may allow individual cell-based therapy without the ethical and immunological problems associated with human embryonic stem cells. Furthermore, these cells may provide new opportunities to study genetic diseases in various cell lineages."
Embryonic research is conducted with a view to finding cures for many untreatable diseases, but pro-life campaigners are opposed to its use in research.
