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Scientist Says Two Men Could Conceive
A baby, born from two dads? It’s possible, says a leading British scientist.
Calum MacKellar, a lecturer in bioethics and biochemistry at Edinburgh University in Scotland said today that, borrowing from techniques used to clone Dolly the sheep, male couples could someday conceive their own children.
Creating a ‘Male Egg’
The technique, which scientists agree still lies far in the future, would use the egg of a woman. Genetic material inside the woman’s egg would be removed and replaced by the DNA of one of the men. That “male egg” would then be fertilized by the sperm of the other man and a surrogate mother would carry the child to term.
MacKellar admits the concept will take at least “a few years” before it’s possible, but he added that scientists had tried the technique with mice and were working on developing it. Others in the field, however, argue the technique is many more than a few years away.
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Equal rights for lesbians’ IVF children
CHILDREN born through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to lesbian mothers will have the same rights as those of heterosexual couples, under law changes announced by the New South Wales government.
State Attorney-General John Hatzistergos today said he had accepted NSW Law Reform recommendations extending “parental presumption” provisions to cover gay mums.
It was estimated 20 per cent of the state’s female same-sex couples had children, Mr Hatzistergos said.
The change affects those born through IVF or artificial fertilization only, by granting parenting rights and obligations to the non-biological mother.
“The current law discriminates against these children who, at the moment, have a relationship with the birth mother’s partner that is not recognized by law,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“They are unable to take on inheritance, or the benefits of compensation which may be due … following a death or injury.”
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Fertility and Diet
I found a fantastic article about how diet affects infertility. The article mainly addresses ovulatory infertility and there was no study on male factor infertility, although some of the same dietary concepts might apply to men too. To recap (with my commentary), the article states that there is a difference between fast and slow carbs. If you’re like me, then giving up potatoes might be an inconvenience, but if it means you can improve your ovulatory infertility than DO IT.
The article continues to discuss animal versus plant protein. With ovulatory infertility, the study suggests that protein derived from plant is more helpful to ovulation than is animal protein. The higher the animal protein the more likelihood of infertility issues. The higher the animal protein the less occurrence of ovulation issues. So while you’re trying to become pregnant, eat less meat and more vegetables high in protein.
My favorite part of the article deals with dairy (one of my favorite foods)…the article suggests having one full-fat dairy food serving per day. They state that a pint should last about two weeks with two half-cup servings per week. Just yesterday I was feeling guilty that I take my twin girls to Baskin Robins every Tuesday for Two-for-Tuesdays. Little did I know that I was helping their ovulatory fertility by doing so – do you think it works on 3 1/2 year olds? Somehow I doubt it.
The article wraps up with the role of body weight, BMI and exercise. Weight is a determining factor in so many diseases and I wasn’t surprised to see it mentioned here. I know skinny and heavy people who had no problems getting pregnant while the perfectly fit (as this article describes) unable to conceive. So, I agree that it plays a part, but its one of the many, many pieces of fertility issues. Seems that regular exercise actually improves more than just your overall health, it helps with ovulatory fertility too.
