Mouse born without male's DNA

Thread starter aychamo
Start date Apr 23, 2004
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In summary, parthenogenesis is a rare occurrence in mammals where an embryo develops from an unfertilized egg. These mice are considered clones of their mother, although there may be slight genetic variations. They are able to reproduce asexually through parthenogenesis, but it is not as efficient as sexual reproduction. One potential benefit is the elimination of the need for a male counterpart, allowing for rapid population growth. Parthenogenesis is a natural phenomenon and not a form of genetic engineering.

Apr 23, 2004

aychamo

Mouse "born" without male's DNA!

Just kidding :)

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Apr 23, 2004

Monique

Staff Emeritus

Science Advisor

Gold Member

haha, very funny..

now you made me sigh for nothing :)
for the ones who don't get it, this will be the 4th reference to the following topic https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=21880

Apr 23, 2004

AndyPIXEL

hah!
I was going to say...

1. How is it possible for a mouse to be born without male's DNA?

This phenomenon is known as parthenogenesis, where an embryo develops from an unfertilized egg. It is a rare occurrence in mammals and is more commonly seen in insects, reptiles, and fish.

2. Are these mice considered clones?

Technically, yes. Since the offspring only contains genetic material from the mother, they are considered clones of their mother. However, there may be slight genetic variations due to mutations during cell division.

3. Can these mice reproduce on their own?

Yes, these mice are able to reproduce asexually through parthenogenesis. However, this type of reproduction is not as efficient as sexual reproduction and is usually only seen in extreme circumstances.

4. Are there any potential benefits to this type of reproduction?

One potential benefit is that it eliminates the need for a male counterpart, which can be advantageous in environments where males are scarce. Additionally, it allows for rapid population growth in a short amount of time.

5. Is parthenogenesis a form of genetic engineering?

No, parthenogenesis is a natural phenomenon that occurs without human intervention. Genetic engineering involves altering the genetic makeup of an organism through artificial means.