With progress in stem-cell research the day may not be far when a single individual could be both mother and father to a child. And if the samples of their stem cells are stored in advance, the individual need not be living at the time of the birth of the child.
It hasn’t happened yet, but stem cell research shows enormous possibilities. The possibility has been put forward in a paper published in the journal Cell Stem Cell by the University of Alberta's Tim Caulfield and his colleagues.
Wouldn’t be a clone
A child created with egg and sperm derived from one person wouldn’t be a clone - or genetically identical to the parent - because of the mixing and matching in the chromosomes that takes place when egg and sperm are formed.
In a number of countries scientists are able to turn adult skin cells into stem cells. After reprogramming, these cells regain the superhero-like powers of embryonic stem cells and can be turned into many of the specialized cells that make up the human body, including blood, brain or muscle cells.
The possibilities being explored are reprogramming stem cells originally taken from an individual and coaxing them into becoming sperm, while others are transformed into eggs.
Ethical issues
But as with all stem cell issues, ethical questions are being raised once again. Should biological single parenthood be allowed if it proves possible? What are the risks to a child created in this way? Could skin cells from one child be used to create another son or daughter? Could someone steal a skin cell from someone famous and have their baby?
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