Could Genetics Enable a World Where Only Women Reproduce?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential for genetic manipulation to enable reproduction solely among women, specifically through the combination of genetic material from two oocytes. Participants explore the implications of such a scenario on society and the feasibility of the concept.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that mixing RNA from two oocytes could lead to a new fertilized egg, raising the question of whether this is feasible.
  • Another participant confirms that while it is technically possible to fertilize an egg without sperm, it has not been done in humans and is illegal in many places.
  • Several participants discuss the implications of a society where only women reproduce, questioning whether such a society would be better or worse, and highlighting the role of men in labor and family structures.
  • Concerns are raised about the societal dynamics if reproduction were limited to women, with one participant arguing that most women are heterosexual and would likely continue to have families with men.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the long-term viability of such a society, suggesting it could be uninteresting or asexual.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the feasibility and implications of a society where only women reproduce. There is no consensus on whether such a scenario would be beneficial or desirable, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the social and ethical implications.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the speculative nature of the discussion, with some emphasizing that the concept remains within the realm of science fiction and may not be practically achievable.

jk22
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Could it be that genetics permits to make the mix of two oocytes rna to make a new fertilized egg ?

This would lead to a kind of brave new world where only women are needed ?
 
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If you mean DNA then yes, it is technically possible and we've been capable of doing it for quite a while:

http://news.sciencemag.org/2001/07/egg-fertilized-without-sperm

As far as I'm aware it's never been done in humans, being illegal in most nations. As for a "brave new world" I'd be extremely wary about using that term as the original story had a huge amount of depth and social commentary that may not apply in this case.
 
What i mean is that we take two eggs from different females they both contain half the code and put all in one egg, does it fertilize ?

A society were there are only females would indeed be quite different. But would it be better ? No men for hard works for example.
 
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jk22 said:
What i mean is that we take two eggs from different females they both contain half the code and put all in one egg, does it fertilize ?

As shown in the link above it had been done in animals, it's fairly likely it's possible in humans too.

jk22 said:
A society were there are only females would indeed be quite different. But would it be better ? No men for hard works for example.

The fact that two women could have a biological child in no way implies that society would suddenly be all female. That's utterly ludicrous, you realize that most women are heterosexual and choose to start families with men? If this technology was approved for couples who wanted it it would not stop the large majority of children born to heterosexual couples.

In addition women are also capable of hard work, whilst men might be on average stronger that does not mean we have total dominion over manual labour. Especially given that much of modern manual labour is tool using.
 
Well it is not a sudden change but something on the long term and it remains science-fiction. Such a society would be quite boring I suppose since it would be asexual moreover.
it is difficult to find a good idea for social fiction.
 
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