MIRROR
Scientists claim a breakthrough with male mice could pave the way for human men to have a baby of their own, without the need for women, but the controversial technique may not be ready for years.
Researchers say they have successfully created the eggs by turning male XY chromosome pairs from male mice skin cells, into female XX chromosome pairs.
The stem cells were then programmed to become an egg, which was then fertilised with sperm from another male mouse.
Seven live and healthy mice pups were born, all of which appeared normal and had what was deemed a normal lifespan.
Professor Katsuhiko Hayashi who carried out the research at Osaka University believes the technique could one day be used to allow human male couples to have children together using an egg created from their own cells.
It could also be used to treat Turner syndrome – a genetic condition that affects only females and happens when one of the X chromosomes is fully or partially missing.
Prof Hayashi presented his work at the human gene-editing summit at the Crick Institute in London yesterday.
