Scientists have made a breakthrough in genetic engineering by successfully creating mice with two male parents. In a study published in the journal Science, a team of researchers at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Germany used gene editing technology to alter the DNA of male mouse embryos, effectively creating a generation of mice with two fathers.
The team, led by Dr. Joachim Schulze, employed the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool to introduce two important genes into the mice’s DNA. These genes, which are necessary for the production of viable embryos, were previously thought to be inherited only from the mother.
By altering the DNA of the male mice, the researchers were able to bypass the traditional Y chromosome and allow the eggs to be fertilized by sperm. The resulting offspring were born healthy and viable, with no signs of developmental abnormalities.
The achievement marks a major milestone in the field of assisted reproduction and has significant potential for addressing fertility challenges in humans. The study’s findings could also pave the way for the development of new treatments for genetic diseases and disorders that are passed down from one generation to the next.
The research team is now working to further refine their techniques and explore the potential applications of this technology. In the meantime, the possibility of mice having two fathers has sparked debate and controversy, with some scientists and ethicists raising concerns about the potential risks and unintended consequences of this emerging technology.