Men to get the Pill
70% of men would be happy to take male pill, if one was available provided it didn't affect sex drive.
A compound called JQ1 has been found that is effective in controlling fertility in males.
According to a new discovery published in the journal Cell, a compound called JQ1 knocks out sperm with no side-effects and without affecting 'mating behaviour'. Despite strong demand for a male pill, to date the pharmaceutical industry has not been able to come up with a practical solution.
In an interesting parallel with the discovery of penicillin JQ1 appears to have been identified accidentally as it was originally being tested for its role in cancer. Howeveer, the researchers found it was also an excellent compound in controlling fertility. Lead author, Qinglei Li, an assistant professor in Texas A&M's College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences,said; "A compound with more specificity will be needed before clinical trials can be done for humans. It does not mean a male birth control just yet, but it is a great step forward in that direction."
