Scientists forecast end to infertility
Human infertility could be wiped out within the next decade if scientists intensely study how stem cells grow into eggs and sperm, a leading expert said yesterday.
The prediction came on the 25th anniversary celebrating the birth of the world’s first test tube baby, Louise Brown, born in Britain on 25 July 1978.
Since that time, over one million “test tube babies” have been worldwide.
Scientists gathered in London to reflect on the progress made in stem cell research and in-vitro fertilisation techniques.
Research into the behaviour of mice has already pointed to the possibility of turning stem cells into eggs or sperm, which could then be used to help infertile couples.
Professor Alan of Australia’s Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development Trounson predicted in the long term “everyone” will be able to reproduce.
The professor told a news conference: “I believe in future everybody who is infertile can be helped. I say that because I think what the future holds for us is the intersection of the stem cell area with the reproductive area. It hasn’t happened yet, but it will.
“In future we’ll be able to take cells and reconstruct the equivalent of sperm and eggs.”
