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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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3

Gene May Yield 'Male Pill'

Discovery could also help some infertile men

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(Newser) – A newly identified gene that causes a type of male infertility may be the key to eventually developing a male oral contraceptive pill, the Independent reports. The gene, CATSPER1, enables sperm to wriggle through the outside of an unfertilized egg. A drug that could switch the gene on and off would cure infertility in some men and could allow for the creation of a male counterpart to the Pill, University of Iowa scientists said.

Photograph of a half-used blister pack of Levlen?ED oral contraceptive pill.
Photograph of a half-used blister pack of Levlen?ED oral contraceptive pill.   (Wikimedia Commons)
Dr. Duane Kraemer, professor and researcher in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University displays a capsule in College Station, Texas, May 8, 2008.
Dr. Duane Kraemer, professor and researcher in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University displays a capsule in College Station, Texas, May 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Zoeller)
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3 comments
VIEWING:
 
TerrifiedCitizen
Apr 3, 09 2:29 PM CDT
We are a pill society, hoping a pill will cure all our ills and weaknesses... me too. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
sanagalrc
Apr 4, 09 4:12 PM CDT
Better living through chemistry.
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+1
skeptik
Apr 6, 09 10:15 AM CDT
It is about time. The onus of preventing pregnancy has fallen mainly to females for way too long. Seems taking a pill a day would be much more convenient than the old cock sock. Reply
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