The UAE on Monday announced that it will fund a breakthrough research project which will help millions of childless couples around the world.

"This is a huge project and when succeeded, that means the UAE has been involved in the most advanced research, which will change the lives of millions of people globally," said Dr Braulio Peramo, chairman of the First World Congress in Artificial Gametogenesis.

Global scientists and medical experts gathered under one roof in the UAE Capital, and shared their excitement of the breakthrough project, which is held under the patronage of Lieutenant-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior of the UAE.

Dr Peramo, medical director and general manager, Al Ain Fertility Centre (AAFC), told Khaleej Times the research project goes beyond any current fertility treatment available in the world, as it will help women who have "zero" chance of conceiving due to life-threatening illnesses.

However, the new technology, which Dr Peramo said should be available in clinics in UAE and around the world in the next 7-10 years, will certainly be a game-changer in the field of fertility. He said there are several ways of creating artificial sperms and eggs, including, pure artificial gametes created in a lab dish, and taking stem-cells and placing them into artificial organs.

"We are aiming to artificially create sperms and eggs for those patients who run out of gametes. We can bring out an ovary and mimic the scuffles and everything the ovary has, and place the cells inside the ovary, then put the ovary back in the human body."

Dr Peramo said the research has been tested on animals, including mice and sheep and has seen remarkable success.

"Many couples in the world would be more than happy to use their own cells to create their own sperms and eggs, in order to have babies. One in every four couples in the UAE needs fertility treatment. The current technology can solve around 70 per cent of cases, but what about the other 30 per cent?," he asked.

Dr Peramo added: "Many women suffer from a variety of diseases, including those that require the ovaries to be removed, while some men have genetic conditions that don't allow them to produce sperm.

"For instance, a 17-year-old boy with leukaemia must undergo chemotherapy; the chemotherapy might save his life, but it will kill his sperm cells."

He said that doctors have no choice but to break the news to couples - shattering their dreams of having a family. "All we can do is say: 'I'm sorry, there's no treatment available for you."

"Currently, the only option for these couples is to have babies with donor eggs or sperm, which is not only not allowed, but many couples don't want to do it."

Dr Habiba Alsafar, conference chairman and director of Khalifa University Centre or Biotechnology, said she is excited to see the research project unfold.

"This is the first time in the world that experts and doctors in this field gather under one roof and speak about this topic."

She said developing artificial gametes in fertility, means there will be light at the end of the tunnel for couples suffering from illnesses, as well as infertility.

Source: Khaleej Times