Researchers working on birth control pill for men
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Women have been taking them for decades, but now researchers in Texas say they are working on a birth control pill for men. Video by ktnv.com
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Houston, TX (KTNV) -- Women have been taking them for decades, but now researchers in Texas say they are working on a birth control pill for men.
The research holds the promise of an alternative for vasectomies, but the reality could still be years away.
Bill Bandiga has been married 25 years. He and his wife want no surprises, "I'm close to 50 now. No way in heck I want to have any kids at this point. I want to make sure this is permanent."
Dr. Martin Matzuk is working on a breakthrough that could change birth control for men. His Baylor College of Medicine Lab is perhaps seeing its most exciting research yet, "We would rank it in the top five, maybe even the top two."
They are working on the first birth control pill for men. Others have tried but failed because of harmful side effects.
But research published in the Cell Medical Journal says JQ1 is different, "In the past, other pills have targeted hormones, but JQ1 targets germ cells, and so far in mice, side effects do not exist."
But will that success be the same for men? Researchers say yes.
Dr. Matzuk's research will continue and clinical trials could start in five years.
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