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A Mouse With Two Mothers

Posted by timothy on from the limited-utility-setting-in dept.

jabberjaw writes "Both the BBC and Nature are reporting that scientists at Tokyo University of Agriculture have used two sets of chromosomes belonging to a female mouse to create what are essentially fatherless mice. The process by which this was accomplished (parthenogenesis) does not naturally occur in mammals. The mouse used lacked a gene known as H19 which in turn activated the Igf2 which allowed this process to occur."

14 of 413 comments (clear)

  1. But... by the_gh0st · · Score: 5, Funny

    is it still considered a bastard?

    --
    "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." - Soren Aabye Kierkegaard
  2. it must be asked... by flynt · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who's your daddy???

  3. Baby Jesus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    "The process by which this was accomplished (parthenogenesis) does not naturally occur in mammals"

    What about baby Jesus.

    1. Re:Baby Jesus by polyp2000 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Indeed, if this rare occurrance could happen perchance, say 2004 years ago it truly would be a miricle birth. Maybe the lack off scientific understanding at that time would lead people to believe that the virgin mary had been impregnated by god.

      I didnt think that this was really possible at all but having shown that it is; that miracle of birth as written in the bible maybe isnt such a miracle at all just a freak occurance that happend after thousands of generations human habitation of the earth.

      If this were to happen again, would people believe that its just a rare and random parthenogenesis or would the world rise and aknowledge the second coming of the son of god?

      --
      Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp
  4. 2 mothers = 4 breasts! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Damn you, Freud!

  5. This is it... by kop · · Score: 4, Funny

    They dont need us anymore!

    Panic!

    1. Re:This is it... by eclectro · · Score: 4, Funny

      They dont need us anymore!

      Remember the quote from Red Green "If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy."

      So as long as we are handy with the duct tape, and can kill the occasional bug, I'd say we have a fighting chance.

      Unless you are nerd.....

      --
      Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
  6. Did they name it Heather? by ThePretender · · Score: 4, Funny

    Because I always thought Heather Has Two Mommies

  7. Two daddies? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Doubt it. The Y chromosome is a mutation of the X chromosome and contains much less information. But let's see how this mouse goes. I've my suspicions that in addition to grand pronouncements we'll invent a host of new varients of immune deficencie and progeria like disorders before we've got the kinks more or less understood, let alone under control.

    So as much as I'm looking forward to an all lesbian (but bi curious) amazon go-go dancer future where I'm the last man standing; this research and my time machine seem about equally incomplete. All for one and snu-snu for all.

  8. Swell.. by grub · · Score: 3, Funny


    .. mice that walk around complaining all the time.

    "You're not wearing that to the exercise wheel?!"
    "You never give me fresh seeds anymore!"
    "Ever since we had the brood you ignore me in the wood shavings!"

    --
    Trolling is a art,
  9. Oh, that's just GREAT. by Adam+Schumacher · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now that women have this, combined with a device to open jars, we men are officially obsolete.

  10. And the question parents dread... by Nugbolz · · Score: 3, Funny

    Imagine finally having The Talk with your pubescent kid. The birds and the birds? The bees and the bees... and the scientists??
    Parthenogenesis... H19... Igf2... How would you explain it?

    Q: Mum, where do babies come from?
    A: Eh? What? Ask your OTHER mother.

    --
    ((U+C+I) x (10-S))/20 x A x 1/(1-sin(F/10))
  11. Bible translation error by Wirr · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ahhh, that explains it.

    The word in the bible is not supposed to read virgin, but H19 deficient.
    Easy mistake to make.

  12. Unless you are a nerd by phorm · · Score: 4, Funny

    Are you kidding me... where else could females find that friend to:
    "Confide her intimate relationship problems in excruciating detail while at the same time telling you she wishes she could meet a 'decent' man"

    Male nerds, don't tell me this hasn't happened to you.