Scientists made mice with Y chromosomes female by deleting just 6 tiny molecules | Live Science
Scientists made mice with Y chromosomes female by deleting just 6 tiny molecules | Live Science
Scientists discovered that removing specific molecules from developing mice can completely reverse their sex from male to female.
Scientists discovered that removing specific molecules from developing mice can completely reverse their sex from male to female.
While the study has only been done in mice, the six key microRNAs are found in all vertebrates and date back to the first vertebrates, about 500 million years ago. Therefore, it is very likely that this cluster of microRNAs works similarly in other mammals, as well — including humans.
So, we probably now have the technical ability to genetically engineer the sex of a mammal.
So, we probably now have the technical ability to genetically engineer the sex of a mammal.
That's probably stretching it a bit far- more like, we're on the way to maybe be able to do that.
The best the researchers were able to do was revert the development of a male fetus back into a female fetus, but the mice still kept their XY chromosomes. What happens if they try to bond these micro-RNAs to XX-chromosome mice fetuses? How do you control which X chromosome the RNA attaches to, and what happens if some RNA attaches to one X chromosome in one cell, but to the other X chromosome in another cell? Maybe this process is only unidirectional - you can always choose to have a girl, but still have to rely on random chance to have a boy.
Also the article doesn't make it sound like they let the fetuses actually develop- what happens if an organism- let's call it an XY female, for clarity's sake- goes through puberty? Would that organism have genitals of a phenotypical female but grow the secondary sex characteristics of a male? Could an XY female be fertile? If so, would she have fertility issues if half her gametes have Y chromosomes? What would even happen if a Y chromosome egg was attempted to be fertilized by a sperm?
This is absolutely fascinating work, but we're probably not at the "designer baby" stage quite yet.
edit: A quick look at Quora seems to indicate that a YY fertilized egg would not be viable.
No we actually do. Eliminating the sry expression caused a sex organ reversal in pigs and mice.
hmmm, i'll sign up
I don't know enough about the state of genetic engineering to speak with much authority on the topic, but I don't think that we today have a mechanism to modify the genes in all the cells of a many-celled organism.
Like, I don't think that this has practical applications as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy or something, if that's what you're saying; it'd be used at the single-cell stage, so that the changes propagate as the cells replicate and the organism grows.
You could maybe create a younger, female clone of yourself, but I assume that that's not what you're after.
I'm not against transhumanism, but if there isn't an attainable goal you're just getting stuck in the trans part. I'll let you be the test pilot.
Anti-trans bigots don't want to hear it. Y-chromosome equals man, remember?
This study was done in the womb before society could get their grubby paws (pun intended) all over the mice and assign a gender.
Anti-trans people would see a naturally formed penis or vagina on somebody and say that’s the gender. I don’t think they care about chromosomes.
Is it possible to learn this power?
Yes it is. Many universities now offer degrees in genetics.
I thought you were going to say Women's Studies.
Only the tiny molecules though- don't mess with the big ones.
I was wondering why they referred to the deletions as “tiny molecules” instead of “genes”, but I guess it’s to emphasize that they code for microRNAs instead of proteins.
This just in: scientists successfully delete molecules
"Woopsie, where is the ctrl+z ?" - Scientist Trainee.
They made it physically female but does it still think it's male?
Partially /s but I do wonder if I was being super unethical what the results in humans would be with a large sample size. Nobody put me in vault 4.
No worries China has probably already 10 impregnated women carrying MTF female babies.
On the one side, I feel like it would be unnecessary unless it was like the end of days and there were no women. On the other hand, like if you end up male in the head but beautiful female on the outside, I would be pissed and annoyed. But I would probably still have sex and marry. But it would be annoying having to be at the receiving end of the penis and pretend I like it.
Which is through struggle some people deal with. I don't see the reason to cause it intentionally. I feel like it's super unethical. If woman were in that much demand we should focus on artificial wombs.
Lol "No straight man in the head is taken dick" you probably just be a lesbian which would defeat the whole point of artificially producing women. Unless... it's for harvesting more eggs for the birthing pods. Oh man really don't put me in charge of vault 4 I'm unhinged with power.
Great. The republicans can now control who becomes a woman as well as controlling them after they’re born. We need more women to make babies!!
Stop the world…..