Stem Cells From Testicles Show Promise

Researchers Say Cells From Testes Are Just As Useful As Those From Embryos

(AP)  Cells taken from men's testicles seem as versatile as the stem cells derived from embryos, researchers reported Wednesday in what may be yet another new approach in a burgeoning scientific field.

The new type of stem cells could be useful for growing personalized replacement tissues, according to a study in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature. But because of their source, their highest promise would apply to only half the world's population: men.

Embryonic stem cells can give rise to virtually any tissue in the body and scientists believe they may offer treatments for diseases like Parkinson's and diabetes and for spinal cord injuries.

The testicular cells avoid the ethical dilemma of embryonic stem cells, which are harvested in a process that destroys the embryos. For that reason, some people, including President George W. Bush, oppose their use for ethical or religious reasons.

"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," said study lead author Thomas Skutella, a professor at the Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine in Tuebingen, Germany.

Using testicular cells isn't the only promising method that avoids embryos; there have been impressive experiments in reprogramming ordinary body cells into stem cells by slipping certain genes into them.

The new findings and the reprogrammed cells - which still have technical hurdles - "take some pressure off the stem cell issue," said White House science adviser Jack Marburger.

Earlier studies showed promise using so-called spermatogonial cells from the testes of mice. The new study used cells taken from biopsied tissue from 22 different men undergoing various medical treatments. The men ranged in age from 17 to 81. Researchers found that after a few weeks of growth, the cells could differentiate into various types of cells just like those taken from embryos.

Other scientists hailed the idea as promising, but not a reason to give up on research on embryonic stem cells.

"It's exciting. We could do it for males; that leaves women without as easy a method," said stem cell scientist George Daley of Children's Hospital in Boston and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. He was not part of the new research.

Embryonic stem cells "have their own place in biology," Daley said.

Skutella said a female equivalent could be in women's egg cells, but Daley said that's unlikely because of the makeup of those cells.

Using the new findings to treat patients could take years. But Daley said the work on the cells from testes can benefit from a decade's worth of research into embryonic cells and advance at a fast pace.

He said the new research showed how similar these testicular cells are to embryonic stem cells; now science needs to see what specific differences exist because those could be important.

[antoniof123]

This is the same bunch that gave you voodoo economics and see how well that one worked out.

[runningralph]

antonio123,
Are you saying that the Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine in Germany gave us voodoo economics? How so?

[eggy1620]

demslie2u, but not as much as republicans.

[ibzjem]

Posted by demslie2u at 02:42 PM : Oct 08, 2008

Repugs want to abort your liberties so they can control oil and keep the rich running the country.

[element51]

demslie2u.....You are a truly angry person. I just cannot imagine what it would be like to live my life filled with the hate that you have. I honestly think I would end up blowing my brains out. You take a story that, if you stop and think about it, has some very humorous aspects, and make it political. And your claim that all democrats want to abort babies is just plain sick. No one thinks that abortions are a good thing. If you can promise me that making abortion illegal would guarantee that there would never be another one, I would stand with you in a heartbeat. But that is not the reality and the practice will continue, legal or not. I don''t want to see poor women die of infection or bleeding to death while rich women will be able to get a "D&C" and walk away fine. You need to try to see things in their entirety rather than just what you want to see. And do you really expect us to believe that NO REPUBLICAN woman has ever gotten an abortion? Come on, get real.

[questionnews]

OK men of America. It''s time to step up to the shear & make a sacrifice for the betterment of science. A little chop-chop & you could have your name on a bronze plaque at the research center for your generous donation.
You will have to carry the title of Eunich from now on, but hey, your name is on a bronze plaque!!!

[element51]

As I read this story I could not help thinking what some of the late night comedians could do with this. I know there are some great jokes here I just don''t have the talent to write them. Yes, yes this a serious matter and I don''t mean to make light of it and I truly hope that some great steps are made but I still think there is some humor here. I mean, men are very protective of that part of their anatomy...I would be somewhat reluctant to donate cells even to myself. And as for doners, they''d have to be nuts.

[antoniof123]

antonio123,
Are you saying that the Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine in Germany gave us voodoo economics? How so?

Posted by runningralph at 02:53 PM : Oct 08, 2008

It was an attempt to make a joke I just had to give it a try.

[bm6005]

The religions of the world still won''t buy this. The catholics especially will compare this to masturbation! "Shake it twice to clean the bore, shake it thrice you''ve sinned some more"!!!!!

[closethippy1]

Like they say in Italy: You toucha my balls I breaka your face!

[spadeisspade]

At least one good thing has come of not funding embryonic stem cell research; we''re finding more and more ways to manipulate other cells, and that is definitely not such a bad thing. I am all for embryonic stem cell research, and I feel this proves how a fetus is NOT a life if the cells are essentially the same as the loins from which they were formed!

[xxunknown]

as for doners, they''''d have to be nuts.
Posted by Element51
----------------------
tee hee hee.

[yongamerica]

Do not underestimate the power of the balls.

[superdem]

demslie2u - now think straight, for once. If Democrats were such bloodthirsty killers, why would we care about health care ? People who would kill babies for fun, or even to "save the planet" would never care about curing diseases, or feeding people, or caring for children. But we''re all over that ! That''s what we do ! It''s all about the quality of life. Sigh...waste of breath, I know.

[crbartist]

i know...the aig execs are overloaded with balls...lets take theirs!!!!!!!

[inketolstoy]

I am glad the writer of Double Amputee Armed With Optimism didn''t write this article

[missingamerica]

Hmmmm...just read demslie2u''s post.

Mistake.

I hadn''t even thought about the ramifications of why that sort of person is attracted to Palin/McCain all day.

[berkshirerez]

Since G.W. Bush has ethical issues with taking stem cells from embryos I say he should be at the front of the line for donating his balls. Oh wait...he''d have to get them back from *** Cheney first.

[spadeisspade]

What''s the difference between a testicular stem cell researcher and someone opposed to embryonic stem cell research?

One of them is a religious nut

[yongamerica]

Well said.

[docadams3]

Watch them cut this off.

[spadeisspade]

So...if embryonic cells are the same as testicle cells, does that mean testicles are going to fall under the heading of "viable life form"? Come on you pro-lifers, where is your stance on this?

"Watch them cut this off"
Bwahahahah!
Is Lorena Bobbit helping to fund this?

[dhtigerfan]

Just exactly how do they obtain these cells?

[usclimey]

Uh oh! What are liberals going to do. This means less babies they can kill in the womb!

Posted by StopSocialis

Hi Rick - you''s bein'' a real big eejit on this one.

[usclimey]

Just exactly how do they obtain these cells?

Posted by dhtigerfan

I REALLY don''t want to know, but hopefully anaesthesia is involved!!!!

[xmissile]

Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.

Let the heathen spill theirs
On the dusty ground.
God shall make them pay for
Each sperm that can''t be found.

Every sperm is wanted.
Every sperm is good.
Every sperm is needed
In your neighbourhood.

[questionnews]

Hi Rick - you''''s bein'''' a real big eejit on this one.

Posted by usclimey at 07:06 PM : Oct 08, 2008

Rick? As in the old bible thumper SinginRick??

[smurfcrusher]

This sounds like a Good news / Bad News story. LOL !

They really ARE the Family Jewels!

Too bad for the ladies, you just don''t have da toolz.

[scorpio59er]

This is NUTS!

[troutfisher4]

Uh oh! What are liberals going to do. This means less babies they can kill in the womb!

Posted by StopSocialis


Researcher will ask for the donation of testicles from all conservatives like you who support George W Bush.

After all, you have not been using them for 8 years :)

[swingset4u]

GOTTA be some government entity doing this research..I mean they already have us by the B A L L S !

[swingset4u]

I think I am going to start rapping and call myself BUSTA''NUT!

[roadsterboy]

Why not just take them from the testicles of Mary Poppins Palin cause she''s got just enough balls to call Obama a terrotist sympathizer while being married to the First Dude, a domestic terrorist member of a separatist group up there in Alaska.

[swingset4u]

It''s all Spooog to me!

[roadsterboy]

I betcha Senator Larry Craig (mr toe tapper himself) perked up when he heard THIS story.

[swingset4u]

Ok but the difference is.. wait for it, wait for it... Okay I am going to say it... "LIPSTICK!"

[swingset4u]

Kinda scary gettin your testicle poked with a needle.. Well we ought to be used to it by now.. I mean come on, We''re used to G.W.''s forked tongue!

[heero2020]

Sweet! Now I can sell my *** for research. Just think of the money that''s been slipping through my fingers all these years.

[armydog2]

OK guys put your nuts up on the table and do a real service for mankind!!!!

[closethippy1]

I''d like to volunteer to help science the best I can by giving some of my cells for research.
All I need is a good looking nurse to gently do her job.
Thank you.

[rational_1]

Tears began flowing. And she wept aloud. "HELLO?! PLEASE HELP! WHERE IS EVERYONE?!"
"Shhhhh, we`re down here."
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 08:33 AM : Oct 09, 2008

Nice one Nancy. Now consider who discovered calculus, the Pythagorean theorem, the transistor, the theories of gravity, evolution and relativity, the lightbulb, the Internet (Al Gore), that the Earth revolves around the Sun, the Big Bang, etc, etc, etc. If not for the discoveries made by (brainless?) men, right now you''d be poking around the ground with a sharp stick looking for grubs to eat.

[briannorwood]

"Stem Cells From Testicles Show Promise"


NOT FROM MINE THEY WONT!

[dontbasucka]

Why did the article need to mention ..."For that reason, some people, including President George W. Bush, oppose their use for ethical or religious reasons"??? What reason other than to inject negative politics for the sake of those who think you have to kill an infant in order to utilize stem cells? I applaud Bush''s stance against taking life in what has now been shown as backwards science and just another very wrong reason to support killing embryos so you can grow a new ear. Testicle stem cells from Keith Olberman would be small since his are the size of Tic Tacs.

[rational_1]

Most of those "discoveries" are based on obsessions with "measurement"...
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 11:20 AM : Oct 09, 2008

All real science ultimately involves measurement, of one sort or another. That''s why creationism (admittedly another male creation) isn''t science.

And I''ve never vote for Bush. Just got my U.S. citizenship last year so this is my first election. Gotta tell you the choices don''t imbue me with much confidence in our future. An angry old guy with a creationist sidekick or an empty suit with a tape recorder in it yammering on about "hope, change, dream to hope for change, yes we can". The prognosis for this country is grim I fear.

[republic1776]

Puts new light on being called a Richard head.
Could be true...lol