The prospect of all-female conception

[Arawn-ap-Hywel]

The prospect of all-female conception - Independent Online Edition > Science & Technology

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.

Brings a whole new meaning to a "redundant member"

[tman_ndsu08]

Of course, without men to build and maintain the technology, the all woman society would perish.

[DEEJ85]

If this was put into production, the Y chromosome would be incomplete since women do not require it.

This wouldn't be so easy if the same was tried with men (even if we had a viable way to produce children) seeing as we need both X and Y chromosomes.

[gallo]

Quote by: DEEJ85 If this was put into production, the Y chromosome would be incomplete since women do not require it.

I'm sorry, but did you actually read any of the link, even the OP? If this were "put into production" the Y chromosome wouldn't be "incomplete", it would be absent. Thus, all offspring would be female since all of the sperm would have an X chromosome - no Y chromosomes.

Quote by: DEEJ85 This wouldn't be so easy if the same was tried with men (even if we had a viable way to produce children) seeing as we need both X and Y chromosomes.

I guess you missed the part about how this research was first about producing sperm from male stem cells for males who do not produce sufficient sperm of their own. Of course, a female womb is a prerequisite for reproduction, and in the case of the research, the womb belonged to the wife of the male. We aren't quite to the "Star Wars" clone factories yet.

Of course, the article only raises the possibility of producing sperm cells from female stem cells. I suspect that if it is possible for a male, it will be possible for a female.

Nevertheless, I think that the old fashioned method of conception will hold for the foreseeable future, unless there is a problem. My wife and I never had that sort of problem. We both enjoyed the old fashioned method and we were rewarded with our children.

[InTheFlesh?]

Do you really think that the world will one day be populated entirely by women?

I think science could go to the extent that there is no longer a need for sexual reproduction in order to produce varied offspring, women can't be removed due to their womb and nurturing nature but men.... it looks bleak.

I for one know I am far too good looking to be removed from society. Long live my genes.

[tman_ndsu08]

Quote by: InTheFlesh? Do you really think that the world will one day be populated entirely by women?

It'd probably be more efficient to have one sex.

But I don't see how the mechanics would work out.


In order to mix genes for the offspring, one of the partners has to put his genes into the other partner.


That seems to work well with a male and female connection.


*shrug*

[Sarah22]

I don't think that the world will be entirely populated by women. Just because I could have a child with another women, doesn't mean that I will want to.

hmm...could these two women produce a male?

[Praxius]

Well when you think about it.... if you're worried about males being wipped off the map, just think that it can be easily turned around.

We already have test tube babies, incubators and the sort.... just change our DNA and bone marrow into an egg cell and drop it in a test tube.... then we got both X and Y's, both male and female..... and the test tube doesn't nag nag nag for 9 months...... then again... what would be the point of giving birth to women if we could do this?

Then before you know it, you got a giant Schism between the sexes, and the 4th World War will be Men against women...... centuries will pass where we fight and kill one another..... and then one day a savior will come along and teach everyone how to have sex and everything will be fine again.

The End.

[DEEJ85]

Quote by: gallo I'm sorry, but did you actually read any of the link, even the OP? If this were "put into production" the Y chromosome wouldn't be "incomplete", it would be absent. Thus, all offspring would be female since all of the sperm would have an X chromosome - no Y chromosomes. I guess you missed the part about how this research was first about producing sperm from male stem cells for males who do not produce sufficient sperm of their own. Of course, a female womb is a prerequisite for reproduction, and in the case of the research, the womb belonged to the wife of the male. We aren't quite to the "Star Wars" clone factories yet. Of course, the article only raises the possibility of producing sperm cells from female stem cells. I suspect that if it is possible for a male, it will be possible for a female. Nevertheless, I think that the old fashioned method of conception will hold for the foreseeable future, unless there is a problem. My wife and I never had that sort of problem. We both enjoyed the old fashioned method and we were rewarded with our children.

You are right, I inadvertently wrote the word incomplete when I had meant to write absent. It is true that the Y chromosome would be absent. all children would be female. You win.

I was alluding to the idea that it could lead to the absence of males If women so chose to reproduce in this manner. Which would be difficult because all reproduction would have to be artificially done in this manner. Also why would women choose to eliminate males? Women seem to enjoy the company of men.

If men were able to do the same thing, since we require X and Y chromosomes, then it is possible that the children would be female. Neither sex would be removed as a possible outcome in this event.

Could the Y chromosome be bred out of our species if Women decided to do this?

[Praxius]

If women decided to do this, then us men would have to kill them all..... that's the manly thing to do..... quick action without thinking..... wipe ourselves off the map, lol.

[grandpa]

In any case, this could be a breakthrough for a lot of people.

Grandpa h.

[gallo]

Quote by: Sarah22 hmm...could these two women produce a male?

No. If there is no Y chromosome, there is no male.

[gallo]

Quote by: Praxius Well when you think about it.... if you're worried about males being wipped off the map, just think that it can be easily turned around.

Although I doubt that it is possible, once males are gone, they are gone for good. Only males and all males carry a Y chromosome.

Quote by: Praxius We already have test tube babies, incubators and the sort....

You really have no idea of that a "test tube baby" is, do you? Nor do you seem to know what an incubator is for.

Quote by: Praxius just change our DNA and bone marrow into an egg cell and drop it in a test tube.... then we got both X and Y's, both male and female.....

What does bone marrow have to do with it? It has to do with stem cells that may be derived from bone marrow, but the process is a bit more complicated than changing it into an egg cell and dropping it into a test tube. By the way, no human egg cell ever contains a Y chromosome. No cell of any kind derived from a woman has a Y chromosome. Once the males are gone, the Y chromosomes would be gone - no males ever again.

Quote by: Praxius and the test tube doesn't nag nag nag for 9 months...... then again... what would be the point of giving birth to women if we could do this?

Do you actually think that "test tube babies" actually develop in test tubes and incubators? So far, not even one mammal has ever been born that did not require the uterus of a female of the species. Not once.

Quote by: Praxius Then before you know it, you got a giant Schism between the sexes, and the 4th World War will be Men against women...... centuries will pass where we fight and kill one another..... and then one day a savior will come along and teach everyone how to have sex and everything will be fine again.

The problem is that without women (who have a uterus) to carry a baby, there is no baby. So in your scenario the women win because men cannot reproduce.

Quote by: Praxius The End.

Thank God.

[InTheFlesh?]

Any one seen Jurassic Park..... Life finds a way.

[5010]

This tech would also allow a woman to impregnate herself by using her own marrow. What would that mean? Could that be considered 'incest'?

[Praxius]

Quote by: gallo Although I doubt that it is possible, once males are gone, they are gone for good. Only males and all males carry a Y chromosome.

So you're gonna just dissapear without a fight? Don't want to hit a girl when it counts?

Everything you are quoting, although I am about to respond to, was not to be intended as serious.

You really have no idea of that a "test tube baby" is, do you? Nor do you seem to know what an incubator is for.

Chripes Murphy Jeb'ralter..... Yes I know what a test tube baby is...... and I also know what an incubator is.... I was leaning toward advancing our technology to the point where we can connect the two, to avoid having to deal with putting the test tube baby back into the womb of a living female..... hypothetically.

What does bone marrow have to do with it? It has to do with stem cells that may be derived from bone marrow, but the process is a bit more complicated than changing it into an egg cell and dropping it into a test tube.

Stem Cells from Bone Marrow, it all derives from Bone Marrow.... jesus, how technical and anal do I have to get for you to understand what I am trying to say? I didn't think I needed to outline all of the obvious details.

By the way, no human egg cell ever contains a Y chromosome. No cell of any kind derived from a woman has a Y chromosome. Once the males are gone, the Y chromosomes would be gone - no males ever again. Do you actually think that "test tube babies" actually develop in test tubes and incubators? So far, not even one mammal has ever been born that did not require the uterus of a female of the species. Not once. The problem is that without women (who have a uterus) to carry a baby, there is no baby. So in your scenario the women win because men cannot reproduce. Thank God.

Which is what I was getting at..... Test tube babies develop to a certain degree prior to being inserted back into the womb..... but the womb can be cloned and reproduced with current technology and the nutrients required to develop the child can be IV'd through the womb in a steady and regulated manner... to avoid chances of the mother doing drugs, not eating properly, etc..... However nobody talks about it, because it's more contrivertial then say.... removing males from the equation.... cuz you know... we don't care :rolleyes:

I'm not dealing with this topic as very serious, because this wouldn't become a major thing.... perhaps used on selective cases, but other then that, life won't change much.

[Epistemologist]

Quote by: DEEJ85 If this was put into production, the Y chromosome would be incomplete since women do not require it. This wouldn't be so easy if the same was tried with men (even if we had a viable way to produce children) seeing as we need both X and Y chromosomes.

Female sperm and male eggs. Pretty weird, but highly possible.

I think the debate about this technology will be permanently linked with other debates such as that on genetic engineering and obviously stem cell research. If those aren't supported in various societies, then I doubt this will be supported either. Still, there are also "civil rights" issues associated with this.

[DEEJ85]

Well my point was, Even if we tried to eliminate females from the species, we would always have X chromosomes floating around the gene pool, So any male who got pregnant would have the chance to give birth to a female.

The other way around, females could eliminate all Y chromosomes because they do not need any of them. this could remove males from the gene pool.

I think.

[Epistemologist]

Yes that's correct, unless Y chromosomes were somehow stored, and then the sex chromosomes of the zygote are modified immediately after fertilization and before any further mitotic division. But yeah if it was all females, males would only be able to be produced in the laboratory, and even then I imagine it would be an excessively tricky business.

Nuke the lesbians before it's too late.

[Arawn-ap-Hywel]

Quote by: Epistemologist Female sperm and male eggs. Pretty weird, but highly possible. I think the debate about this technology will be permanently linked with other debates such as that on genetic engineering and obviously stem cell research. If those aren't supported in various societies, then I doubt this will be supported either. Still, there are also "civil rights" issues associated with this.

It creates many dilemas for religous groups who consider the creation of man and woman an act of God. The technology will no doubt be used for animals with rich humans utilising a rented womb in attempt to gain an offspring, until the "moral" issues are better tolerated.