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Testicular stem cells are male alternative to embryonic stem cells
Embryonic stems cells are controversial
Cells from testicles may treat diseases and injuries
"The new cells may be used in growing personalised replacement tissues in a similar way to embryonic stem cells"
Researchers have reported that stem cells taken from testicles could be as important as those derived from embryos.
The new cells may be used in growing personalised replacement tissues in a similar way to embryonic stem cells, which can replace almost any body tissue.
Scientists believe that embryonic cells could in effect provide treatment for many diseases, including Parkinson's and diabetes, and cure spinal cord injuries.
To use embryonic stem cells, however, the embryos must be harvested in a process which is destructive. As a result, many people oppose their use on the grounds that it is unethical to damage embryos in this way. Cells obtained from testicles could, therefore, be a more popular choice.
Study lead author Thomas Skutella, a professor at the Centre for Regenerative Biology and Medicine in Tuebingen, Germany, said:
"The advantage these cells have in comparison to embryonic stem cells is that there is no ethical problem with these cells and that they are natural."
Although the idea has potential and will take some pressure away from the stem cell issue, scientists have warned not to ignore previous research on embryonic stem cells.
George Daley of Children's Hospital in Boston and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute said:
"It's exciting. We could do it for males; that leaves women without as easy a method."
Patient treatment will not be available in the foreseeable future, although research on the cells from testes will progress at a fast rate because of the well-established embryronic cell results. According to Daley, these will be of great benefit to scientists.
