Researchers in Japan have demonstrated that offspring can be produced using genetic material from two male mice. Yet even with such advances, the participation of female biology remains essential in the creation of embryos. A leading researcher from the Institute of General Genetics, NI Vavilov RAS, and Konstantin Krutovsky, a professor at the Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics and head of the Scientific and Educational Center for Genomics Research at Siberian Federal University, explained this in a discussion with socialbites.ca. The insight highlights that while male-derived genetic material can drive development, a female contribution is still required at some stage of the process to bring a child into the world.
The core idea is that scientists can derive germ cells from ordinary cells, such as skin cells. If those germ cells are introduced into the reproductive system, they have the potential to develop into sperm or eggs. In practical terms, this means an embryo could theoretically begin life from male-derived germ cells, and in some scenarios, a male could function as both the mother and the father, or two males could serve as the parental pair with one acting as the mother and the other as the father. This concept raises possibilities for addressing infertility and expanding how human reproduction could be approached, though substantial ethical and technical considerations persist. As noted by the researchers, even when a single male’s genetic material is used, the involvement of a female’s biological role is still necessary to complete the birth process, unless a surrogate is employed. The discussion emphasizes that, for now, a surrogate remains a key component in most arrangements that rely on female reproductive assistance.
Earlier reports from Japanese labs described the creation of healthy offspring from two male mice. In those experiments, scientists generated stem cells from male mouse skin cells, removed the Y chromosome, and duplicated the X chromosome to create an egg-like cell. After about 600 implantation attempts, seven live pups were produced, and those offspring subsequently produced their own progeny. This sequence underscores the remarkable progress in cellular reprogramming and germ line development, while also illustrating the persistent need for a female component or an equivalent surrogate step in real-world reproduction. These findings illustrate the boundary between basic science and practical application, highlighting both the promise and the hurdles that must be navigated as this field advances.