by NISHA ZAHID
Scientists in China have successfully created and raised a mouse with two biological fathers, marking a breakthrough in genetic research that could enhance understanding of reproductive biology and genetic disorders.
The study, conducted by Zhi-kun Li of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, utilized advanced stem cell techniques to generate egg-like cells from male embryonic stem cells. These artificial eggs were subsequently fertilized with sperm from another male and implanted into a surrogate female.
In previous experiments, attempts to create offspring using male cells resulted in severe developmental defects. However, the new method has produced healthier mice that have survived into adulthood. Despite this progress, the mice remain sterile, and many embryos still fail to develop properly.
Overcoming a major reproductive barrier
Scientists have struggled to bypass the biological need for an egg in mammalian reproduction for decades. Unlike sperm, which are highly specialized and cannot divide into other cells, eggs contain essential nutrients and cellular mechanisms required for early development.
Efforts to create embryos using only male cells encountered a significant genetic challenge: imprinting abnormalities. Normally, when a sperm fertilizes an egg, specific genes from each parent are naturally activated or deactivated to ensure proper development.
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