Bone Marrow Babies
Biological children may soon become an option for couples where it is now impossible. Recent science shows that sperm can be make from the stem cells in bone marrow. Kira Cochrane, a reporter at iol, says that “stem cells [can be made into] an artificial Y chromosome to produce heathy new eggs and sperm.” Now why is this important? The answers are copious. Not requiring a female’s egg and a male’s sperm allows for same-sex couples to have children with both parent’s DNA instead of just one. Previously couples would have to choose a parent to donate their egg/sperm, but now their child can have the typical 23 chromosome from each parent. And, although it hasn’t been tested, the same thing can be done for men, by creating an egg. Another reason is that a parent doesn’t need another person to contribute their DNA to make a child. Single mothers and fathers can have a child without a random egg or sperm donor. Although this is kind of getting into science fiction/cloning, Dr. Arathi Prasid, the author of the book, Like a Virgin: How Science is Redesigning the Rules of Sex says that DNA is naturally shifted around, which is what causes sibling to looks different. Another amazing plus is that the child doesn’t have to be in a womb. This is good for women who have health problems that don’t allow them to safely become pregnant due to factors like disease or weight.
This advance could provide the opportunity of having biological children to many people who are currently unable. Tests have on been done on animals, but so far, scientist have been able successfully create artificial eggs and sperm. Soon, stem cell babies may be a common concept and Dr. Prasid believes that it may happen long before we all think.
