The prospect of all-female conception ~ Steve Connor

[Veronica.Franco]

The prospect of all-female conception

Friday, April 13, 2007

By Steve Connor

Women might soon be able to produce sperm in a development that could allow lesbian couples to have their own biological daughters, according to a pioneering study published today.

Scientists are seeking ethical permission to produce synthetic sperm cells from a woman's bone marrow tissue after showing that it possible to produce rudimentary sperm cells from male bone-marrow tissue.

The researchers said they had already produced early sperm cells from bone-marrow tissue taken from men. They believe the findings show that it may be possible to restore fertility to men who cannot naturally produce their own sperm.

But the results also raise the prospect of being able to take bone-marrow tissue from women and coaxing the stem cells within the female tissue to develop into sperm cells, said Professor Karim Nayernia of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Creating sperm from women would mean they would only be able to produce daughters because the Y chromosome of male sperm would still be needed to produce sons. The latest research brings the prospect of female-only conception a step closer.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/health/article2445061.ece

The disappearing Y ... or as I like to chidingly call it the "WHY? chromosome" ... careful now gentlemen, you may be on your way OUT ... ;-)

[mike_c]

1. the human Y chromosome only has 78 functional genes...

...which code for only 23 proteins-- there is considerable duplication-- most of which have something to do with "maleness." There is no real reason to retain it if an alternate female only reproductive pattern can contribute sexual recombination. Creating female sperm would do just that, as long as they're not used for self fertilization (which would be fraught with genetic hazards in any event). Sounds like a good deal all around.

[azurnoir]

2. ever hear the quip

men-all the world needs is two and freezer, maybe not even that now, although it leaves quite a gap in realm of lifting things over 75lb.s and tightly lidded jars to name only a couple.

[Warpy]

3. Nah, we'll just make furniture and appliances smaller

and use hand trucks or fork lifts for the super heavy stuff. Jars are easy enough if you know a couple of tricks.

However, forget the new McMansions with trophy kitchens featuring acres of granite and travertine marble. Things are likely to become a great deal simpler and lower tech as the focus shifts from possessions to people.

I doubt the experiment will be a success, though. Most of us are still straight and the bizarre subset of us who want to be trophy wives will still want their trophy kitchens as proof of successful conquest.