Scientist engineers ova from male mice cells, raises possibility of male couples siring own offsprings

A researcher from Osaka University in Japan now claims to have genetically engineered ova from the cells of male mice by transforming XY sex chromosomes into female XY ones.

Prof. Katsuhiko Hayashi, who is currently developing fertility remedies, made the revelation during the human gene-editing summit at the Crick Institute in London while noting that the ova he made was second-rate at best and needed to be improved further.

He added that his work, which raises the possibility of male couples siring their own offsprings, was still in early stages of development and as such, it was not safe to attempt on humans.  

Hayashi however noted that it will take time to perfect the engineering process while adding that he was open to same-sex couples adopting it in future if it is proven safe for use.

"Even in mice, there are many problems in the quality of the egg. So before we can think of it as a fertility treatment we have to overcome these problems, which could take a long long time," Prof. Hayashi is quoted as saying by BBC.

"If people want it and if society accepts such a technology then yes, I'm for it."

The engineering process first entails collecting a skin cell from a male mouse and then morphing it into a stem cell, which has the distinct ability of transforming into various types of cells.

"The cells are male and therefore have XY chromosomes. We then delete the Y chromosome, duplicate the X chromosome and then stick the two X's together. This adjustment allows the stem cell to be programmed to become an egg," said the Professor.