Baby Mice Born From Two Male Mice

While humanity has just begun to test the capabilities of gene editing technology, another historical first has been achieved in the scientific world. Scientists with two male mice without a female mouse seven mice gave birth.

The birth of mice with two biological fathers, the birth of a male mouse Thanks to the conversion of XY chromosomes to XX it came true. The team, led by Katsuhiko Hayashi of Osaka University, took the next step after transforming the chromosome.

Chromosomely modified male mouse produced eggs:

The skin cells of the chromosomally modified male mouse were used to create immature egg cells called ‘oocytes’. But this process was quite grueling.

These cells with X and Y chromosomes are reprogrammed to ‘pluripotent‘ they were transformed into stem cells. In other words, cells became cells that could transform into any cell type.

In the next step, the Y chromosome in these cells was completely removed, and the X chromosomes were copied. These cells were later transformed into egg cells.

The final step was the fertilization of these cells. But this stage was not so successful. Although seven mice were born with these cells, according to Hayashi’s explanation. Only one in 100 fertilized cells survived and was born.

What does this success mean for the future?

Speaking to the BBC, Hayashi is in the future. two partners of the same sex She shared that she wanted her to be capable of fertility. In addition, with the newly developed technique, women with genetic problems on an X chromosome She also stated that she would have a chance to have a child.

Ethics, on the other hand, is a completely different framework:

Although Hayashi and his team have achieved a groundbreaking success, it will be possible for this success to be implemented on people only in days when ethical discussions meet on a common ground. Because if similar studies are done on humans today, it will lead to great social debates.

It is not currently possible to apply the technique on humans:

The technology and technique used by Hayashi and his team for chromosome alteration is not yet applicable to humans, as mice are very different from humans. But according to Hayashi, the future in 10 years The scientific world will also reach this stage.