An experimental new type of male contraceptive that blocks sperm flow with a gel has been successful in monkey trials.
Vasalgel acts as a physical barrier once injected into the tubes that sperm would swim down to the penis.
The company behind it says a two-year trial, published in Basic and Clinical Andrology , shows the gel works and is safe - at least in primates.
It hopes to have enough evidence to begin tests in men within a few years.
If those get funding and go well - two big "ifs" - it will seek regulatory approval to make the gel more widely available to men.
It would be the first new type of male contraceptive to hit the market in many decades.
Vasagel is thought to have the same effect as a vasectomy — but another injection should dissolve the gel plug.
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38879224
Related: The Perfect Birth Control for Men Is Here. Why Can't We Use It?
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday February 08 2017, @05:33PM
How would the monkeys have information about their fertility status in order to correctly fill out an internet survey? The monkeys would be aware that internet surveys require answers of the highest quality and accuracy because of the level of trust that so many place upon internet survey results.
People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
(Score: 3, Funny) by krishnoid on Wednesday February 08 2017, @07:04PM
They already considered this -- they used specially-bred 'survey monkeys' [surveymonkey.com] to ascertain the survey results were accurate.