Males could be seeing a oral contraceptive in the coming years.

The British Broadcasting Corporation reported on NB-DNJ, a drug originally used to treat Gaucher’s disease, an enzyme deficiency disorder, is undergoing animal and limited human testing by the ANZAC Research Institute located in Australia.

The contraceptive, which can be taken orally, injected, or through an implant, was tested on 55 human couples with complete success, the BBC article stated. In addition to preventing pregnancy, the men’s sperm count returned shortly after discontinuing the contraceptive.

Jimmy Klatter, sophomore sports management major, said, “I would be scared of it because of other pills that have left people permanently damaged.”

“Personally I don’t believe in premarital sex so I don’t think the contraceptive is necessary,” said Jamie Navel, a member of the Newman Catholic Center.

The contraceptive works by severely damaging sperm, according to the ANZAC Web site, http://www.anzac.edu.au. In research done on mice, the sperm suffered effects disabling them from entering an egg’s protective coating. Sperm mobility was also affected by the contraceptive.

The testing phase for this drug could be shortened in time because it is currently administered to people for treatment of Gaucher’s disease, a rare enzyme deficiency disorder, which can cause such effects as anemia, fatigue and enlarged spleen and liver. Gaucher’s disease also increases a person’s risk for cancer.

“I would be scared to let my boyfriend take on the responsibility to remember to take it everyday,” said Molly Scholke, an elementary education major. “On the other hand I think it’s cool that men can take on the responsibility that women have had for years.”

Dr. Joseph Wall, an Eastern health service medical director, said health service would carry the contraceptive when it became available on the market.

However, Wall said he saw a problem with the implant version of it because the female version has not seen good reactions and leaves scarring because it must come out at some point.

“If the contraceptive is proven safe by the FDA, we would pick it up,” Wall said.

He also said the drug needed to be cost efficient, and the main concern would be if the drug is reversible.