Did you hear the joke about a world without men? It was populated by celibate women and lesbians. This hilarious thought was boldly portrayed within the Daily Mail in July 2009. The popular newspaper made the following radical statements,
“We now face the possibility where women do not need men to make babies…a woman, in theory could one day be both mother and father to her own child…science fiction scenario of a world where men become reproductively redundant and women would be the supreme biological beings”
The majority of the population consists of heterosexual couples, who attempt to conceive children in the social, medical and conventional way, by having intercourse. The act of heterosexual sex is performed and enjoyed by humans throughout the world. The relationship between a man and a woman is in no way on the decrease. So why is it portrayed so strongly within the media today, that scientific research concerning stem cells will in the future eradicate the need for men concerning child conception? Does this in turn mean the only use for a man is to fertilise a woman’s eggs?
Within the recent news, there has been evidence of stem cell research being able to produce sperm from male stem cells. This is a leap forward for genetic science as it now introduces a possible future cure for infertility. Surprisingly, as illustrated in the Daily Telegraph (2009), infertility is estimated to affect “one in seven UK couples– about 3.5 million people.” Therefore this is a joyous time for many with the obtainable goal of having the technology, for both men and women who are infertile, to have children that are genetically theirs. This also opens doors for single sex couples that wish to have a genetic family of their own.
This new technology will not only touch those who seek such tools for their personal struggle against infertility, but also raises many social and ethical issues, along with legal and scientific issues to consider. The media play an integral role when informing the general public of new technologies, often this information is sensationalised regarding new forms of research. Some elements of the media have painted a ridiculous picture of a world without men. A world without the need for men due to the advance in medical technology. Truly, is that all we see the use of men for?
Science
Infertility is an issue which is not greatly publicised and rarely discussed unless from personal experience. Medical research has been aiming to tackle this issue for many years and has been successful in producing many varied forms of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the most recognised form of ART to the public. However, due to the nature of male infertility, other methods of fertility treatment have been sought out and with the growth of stem cell research and results, scientist have been able to portray a glimmer of light for the couples who’s infertility can not be helped by traditional ART’s.
In July 2009, Professor Karim Nayernia of Newcastle University and the North East England Stem Cell Institute (Nesci) with researchers, appears to have been able to develop “early-stage sperm from human embryonic stem cells by using retinoic acid, a vitamin A derivative.” (McVeigh.K, 2009, the Guardian.) This has given hope, not only to infertile couples, but also to young children who have had medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, to have a genetic child of their own; as such medical treatment can have drastic affects on many function of the body including fertility. A result of this research aims to help men who have fertility problems due to illness, unknown natural causes or abuse of their own body through alcohol, drugs and smoking, and of which other Assisted Reproductive Technologies have been unsuccessful. Professor Nayernia and his research requires a great deal more work before it is a viable treatment for infertility, including a confirmation by other leading scientist that the research and results achieved are sound and there is evidence of healthy viable sperm derived from stem cells. It appears a driving force in Professor Nayernia research is to discover more information relating to male infertility, as there a still many unknowns surround this area. At this moment men are still required in the medical element, as the sperm stem cell technology is only derived from male stem cells. Science, it would seem is offering another helping hand to men who are unable to father a child; however the helping hand is being portrayed by the media as weapon for the destruction of men.
The scientific future implications are not under fire from other scientist, however controversy is building up around the successful ability to produce adult mature sperm from within the laboratory environment. It doesn’t seem premature to publicise the result of the research that has been produced by Professor Nayernia, as he has indeed taken the first steps towards future research into male infertility and further fertility treatments. Yet, as it is commonly seen within the media, a snowball affect concerning all issues has been splashed brightly across the papers. Professor Nayernia has made a remarkable discovery; however there are many elements which will need to be address in the up coming months. By and large the media are the first to create doubt and scepticism within the public. Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield spoke to the Guardian relating to his partial agreement with the results of the research, but believes it was overdramatized for such an early stage in its development, as it is many years from any form of treatment for infertility. I am also in agreement with Allan when he states,
“Although the Newcastle researchers have been clear in their press release that it is not the immediate intention of their work to create functional sperm for infertile couples to use to make babies, I do worry that the hopes of patients may have been raised by the intensity of the press reporting of this story. The headline "Early stage sperm-like cells created" is not as sexy as "British scientists create human sperm" but is more accurate and would have confined this story to the inside pages where it belongs. This science is important and rightly deserves attention but splashing it on the front pages could be said to be somewhat premature.” (2009)
As illustrated alone, this dramatisation by the media suggests to the public that science will blow ethics and social morals out of the water and create a world full of women who wish men to be eliminated from any sexual process concerning conception. This would then lead in to a ridiculous notion of a female dominated world. Even though, as a woman I am slightly intrigued and hopeful for a world dominated by women, as it would appear about time that we had our turn. I do not think such an out landish concept will ever happen, regardless of scientific discovery.
Social
For many years, the argument for evolutionary reproductive use of man has been under attack. I truly believe the struggle for a man concerning infertility is no less distressing than a woman’s. The diverse future medical implications that have arisen from this unique research, has caused a very large stir within the media, social and ethical sectors. Yet there seems to be a shifting of opinions regarding the speed in which science evolves. Protestors of scientific research speak out greatly fretting, ‘how far will science go? And ‘does science have any future boundaries?’ Yet, the shift in pace concerning publication of the development of science emanates from those who oppose the growth. Despite the research still being in its infancy stages, the fear of the impending possibilities as a result of this research has made some opinions jolt towards irrational conclusions, such as the colossal elimination of the full involvement of men when procreating. The social implications of such a controversial notion have been confronted previously with single mothers and single sex parenting. The public need to be informed of the actual intended use for the current research. It is my opinion that it was not developed to eradicate men from the conception process, quite the opposite, it was developed to help understand male infertility and to offer a possible new treatment. For those who have not been given the ability to conceive a child naturally, a little scientific hand has been offered and as with most things connected with science a risk has to be taken. Since reproductive technology has been available, there has been fear from certain sectors of the public that the technology will be for the wrong purpose. Protestors were in fear of the technology being abuse to create a ‘designer’ baby or the term ‘Frankenstein’ has also been used. It appears the potential fears around the use of sperm stem cell technology has spiralled and from what has been portrayed, an irrational fear has developed. Restrictions by Parliament will be put into place to ensure abuse of the technology will not take place. Yet it seems the abuse of the potential results of technology has taken on a new form.
Today’s fear has now transformed into annihilation of the male species, rather then the initial miss use of technology. Primarily, this technology is being developed to increase the knowledge concerning male infertility and to offer a way in which men can have a genetic child. What appears to be the issue for society is the impending feasible future use for women alone to reproduce using this technology. Lesbians have been using sperm donation to conceive a child for many years. The sperm stem cell research has now offered a hopeful opportunity to produce a child from a lesbian couple’s genetics without the need of an unknown sperm donor. This has created fear within the media, as the notion of a lesbian couple being able to reproduce without a man’s input is unnatural, as men do not play a vital role in the conception in any sexual way. The underlining fear seems to be surrounding giving women an opportunity to conceive a child with out a man by choice, irrelevant of medical condition or sexuality. The publication of the upcoming obliteration of men could merely be the next stem to the ethical debate against reproduction outside of the heterosexual configuration of a family.
Ethical
Over many years a battle has being fought for the social acceptance of single and homosexual parents. It is more common to see single parents today than homosexual parents. To clarify, when I state homosexual parent I am relating to a homosexual couple conceiving a child together. As this is not so publicly stated, there are many homosexual individuals and couples, who have produced children in a heterosexual relationship. This would not seem unethical to most as both a father and mother are in the family when conception took place. The main ethical debate concerning the sperm stem cells appears to revolve around the declining role of men in the procreation process.
A strong ethical argument concerning IVF treatment was surrounding a male role model/ father’s involvement socially in a child’s life. This debate is on going, as the legislation has been amended a great deal over the 31 years since the first child, Louise Brown, was born through IVF. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority was founded as a regulator within the UK of the use of gametes and embryos. They have also produced the HFE Act, as instructed by Parliament, which provides imperative ethical and legal boundaries when reproductive technology is used.
Recently in November 2008, the HFE Act was amended as the ‘need for a father’ was address within Parliament. It is now legally successful for lesbian couples to become joint parents when a child is born. This has eliminated the need for adoption within this scenario and gives joint legal parental rights. This indeed could have played a part in the irrational thought process of the finality of the male existence. It could be seen that men may have felt their roles within a family life were being reduced to producer of sperm only and now that role is being questioned and may not be necessary when conceiving a child. This should not be the case. There are many couples who conceive naturally and will not need the help of science to procreate; therefore the role of a man within this particular family structure is greatly desired physically, genetically and socially. Furthermore, when sperm stem cell technology is developed enough to be used to discover causes of male infertility and even offer a wider range of treatments, this will enable not only lesbian couples but all individuals to be able to have genetic children.
Homosexual parenting is increasing significantly since the legal rights and laws have been amended in their favour, but this does not tip the scales and decrease the amount of ‘naturally’ conceived children. Science and technology will always develop, with the aim to break all obstacles and eliminate disease. What needs to be addressed is the perceived notion that men are like a disease that need to be eradicated from society. The role of sperm provider is not being replaced by science. Science is merely offering a way to learn and treat male infertility. The research holds the possibility of developing a technology to enable homosexual couples to have genetic children of their own with out the involvement of a third party. There are those that believe homosexual parenting is wrong in many ways, therefore to be clear, the sperm stem cell technology is not being developed to produce children for homosexual couples. The implication for the future is not that lesbians could now have children (something which is already taking place) but that the technology could offer a way for lesbians to have a child which is genetically related to them. The debate against this future implication is an old one, relating to the ability of homosexual parents to raise a child in a socially acceptable environment. There is no evidence in society of lesbians implementing ways to eliminate men and take over the world. Their only wish is to be able to have the same rights and choice of experiences as everyone else.
Men are an integral role within a family and within society. What would the world be without inspirations such as Nelson Mandela, Jonny Wilkinson, Sir Ian Mckellen, and Dan Brown, the men on the front line of a war, teachers, our friends, uncles, cousin, grandfathers, brothers and fathers? To all the member of the male species, have no fear; your role within society is irreplaceable. Throughout our whole lives, a helping hand is offered from a parent, teacher, friend or sibling. Science is just offering theirs! We may not all require such help but it is there if needed. Together with the social and ethical boundaries, the hand of science should not cause fear and irrational thought. As long as the morals of society do not become corrupted by the future possibilities of science, a man’s unique role within this world will not diminished, even for those who do require the hand of science to procreate.
