A new study reveals that it is now possible to separate the male sperm from the female sperm in animals. A team of researchers from Hiroshima University in Japan found a new way to be able to segregate the Y-chromosome bearing the sperm from the X-chromosome. This only means one thing: it is now possible to choose the sex of the offspring. The results of the study have been published in the journal by PLOS Biology this week.
Masayuki Shimad, the lead author of the study revealed that they used the sperm of the mice for testing. The sperm underwent a new chemical treatment, which resulted to the slowing down of the X-chromosome. The whole process caused the Y-chromosome to speed up.
"The difference in the expression of the receptor genes by the two sex chromosomes provides the potential for the novel yet highly possible method that would prove to be useful for separating the X and Y sperm. Our process has succeeded in the selective production of male or female in cattle and pigs. This method has been useful," Shihada said.
However, Shihada also noted that the use of such a method in human reproduction technology remains to be in the realm of speculation. In addition to the concerns raised, the use of such a method on human reproduction "involves significant ethical issues unaffected by the utility of the technique. The method is new, and it might stir up issues at a later time."
Further studies need to be conducted before such a process is applied to human reproductive nature. When it does, it will open up doors of possibility for parents to be able to choose their offspring.
