This caught my attention on the news during the day – The Telegraph has a reasonable write-up, and you can watch the BBC news story here.
Scientists at the Northeast England Stem Cell Institute claim to have created human sperm from embryonic stem cells. If the claim turns out to be true, it could have implications for people unable to have children. On the innocent surface of it, childless couples could have children via IVF which are genetically their own. On a more sinister level, women might also be able to have children without the involvement of a man at all!
The whole thing has sparked controversy on numerous fronts.
Some groups are suggesting that the sperm are not viable – that is, they may not allow fertilisation to take place (although the technique used has already been used in mice and offspring have been produced, though all died shortly after birth). Others are questioning the ethics involved.
It will be interesting to see how this one develops.