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Immaculate Conception In a Boa Constrictor

crudmonkey writes "Researchers have discovered a biological shocker: female boa constrictors are capable of giving birth asexually. But the surprise doesn't end there. The study in Biology Letters found that boa babies produced through this asexual reproduction — also known as parthenogenesis — sport a chromosomal oddity that researchers thought was impossible in reptiles. While researchers admit that the female in the study may have been a genetic freak, they say the findings should press researchers to re-think reptile reproduction. Virgin birth among reptiles, especially primitive ones like boas, they argue may be far commoner than ever expected."

27 of 478 comments (clear)

  1. Wrong. by CasualFriday · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The "Immaculate Conception" referred to the fact that Mary was without original sin, not that she was a virgin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception

    --
    Raters gon' rate.
  2. Wrong. by CasualFriday · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The "Immaculate Conception" referred to the "fact" that Mary was without original sin, not that she asexually reproduced. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception

    --
    Raters gon' rate.
  3. What 'immaculate conception' means by Phanatic1a · · Score: 0, Redundant

    It doesn't mean 'virgin birth.' Immaculate Conception is the Catholic doctrine that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was herself conceived free of Original Sin. It's got nothing to do with the other Catholic doctrine of the virgin birth, which is that Mary was impregnated with Jesus without any sexual intercourse occurring.

    Hope this helps.

  4. This is scientific proof! by omnibit · · Score: 0, Redundant

    That Mary was a boa constrictor after all.

  5. Immaculate Coneption /= Virgin Birth by Krelar · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Too bad immaculate conception doesn't mean virgin birth.

  6. Boa Constrictor Without Sin? by boppacesagain08 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Unfortunately, immaculate conception has to do with being born without original sin, not children without semen.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_conception

    Thanks for playing.

  7. Immaculate Conception by GreenXero · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I do not think that means what you think it means. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception#Common_misinterpretations

  8. Wrong title by Guillermito · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Quoting from Wikipedia

    The [Immaculate Conception] doctrine states that, from the first moment of her existence, Mary was preserved by God from the Original Sin and filled with sanctifying grace that would normally come with baptism after birth. Catholics believe Mary "was free from any personal or hereditary sin". Mary's immaculate conception should not be confused with the [virginal] Incarnation of her son Jesus Christ; the conception of Jesus is celebrated as the Annunciation to Mary. Catholics do not believe that Mary, herself, was the product of a Virgin Birth

  9. Immaculate Conception != Virgin Birth by Tebriel · · Score: 0, Redundant

    A common misconception, but the Immaculate Conception refers to Mary, not to the virgin conception of Jesus.

    --
    The Blaster Master Fighting for Truth, Justice, and Evil Pie since 1979
  10. Get It Straight by drissel · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Virgin Birth is a different dogma from Immaculate Conception. If you're gonna be sarcastic, ya gotta be exact.

  11. "Immaculate Conception" by XanC · · Score: 0, Redundant

    In Roman Catholic theology, the Immaculate Conception was the conception of Mary, whom they hold to have been conceived without original sin, that is, immaculate.

    This has nothing to do with the Virgin Birth, which appears to be what the summary is aiming for.

  12. No, it's virgin birth by HolyChao · · Score: 0, Redundant

    No, that is not "immaculate conception."

    Virgin Birth is making a baby (e.g., Jesus) even though you're a virgin. Immaculate Conception is making a baby (e.g., Mary) that does not have Original Sin. Entirely different concepts.

  13. Incorrect title by mr100percent · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I know that the editors are trying to claim that this is like the birth of Jesus (peace be upon him), but the title "immaculate conception" is inaccurate. The "Immaculate Conception" of Mary (pbuh) is a title given by Catholic doctrine; that she herself was born without the stain ("immacula" in Latin) of Original Sin. (Wikipedia) It is not meant to apply to the birth of Jesus (pbuh)

    The title should have read "Virgin Birth in a Boa Constrictor."

  14. Immaculate conception? by jspenguin1 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    So, the snakes were the product of normal intercourse, but were born without original sin?

    Come on, I'm not even Catholic and I know the difference between Immaculate Conception and Virgin Birth.

  15. Not immaculate Conception by Alanbly · · Score: 0, Redundant

    For the ten millionth time, the "Immaculate Conception" is the conception of MARY not of Jesus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception

    --
    -- Adam McCormick
  16. immaculate conception != virgin birth by eddymulyono · · Score: 0, Redundant

    immaculate conception != virgin birth

  17. Not "immaculate." by CannonballHead · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The Roman Catholic teaching of the Immaculate Conception is the teaching that Mary was born without original sin. The "virgin birth," referring to Christ, is not the Immaculate Conception.

  18. Not Immaculate by CannonballHead · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I already posted this I thought... not sure where it went... I might be double posting. Bother.

    The Roman Catholic teaching of the Immaculate Conception is the teaching that Mary was born without original sin. It is not the teaching of the virgin birth of Jesus.

  19. The Immaculate Boa Conceptor! by poly_pusher · · Score: 0, Redundant

    That's all I got...

  20. Nothing immaculate about it... by MaskedSlacker · · Score: 0, Redundant

    As the tag for this story notes, the Immaculate conception refers to the conception of Mary, not Jesus.

  21. Not immaculate after all... by MaskedSlacker · · Score: 0, Redundant

    As the story's tag notes, the Immaculate Conception is the conception of Mary, not Jesus. Try to aim for slightly higher hanging fruit the next time you want to make a cheap pun samzenpus.

  22. Common misconception by RocketRocketship · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The immaculate conception refers not to the virgin birth of Jesus, but to the conception of Mary without original sin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception

  23. Virgin Birth != Immaculate Conception by Quark · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Oh FFS! Virgin Birth != Immaculate Conception.

    I've seen this in numerous places over the last few years. Virgin Birth means there was no sexual intercourse involved in the conception.

    Immaculate Conception refers to a particular doctrine of the Catholic Church, which meant that Mary, Jesus' mother, was shielded from original sin when she was conceived, and she was conceived the old fashioned way, with no announcements by any angels.

    --
    I've got green eyes, red hair, and I'm left handed. A hundred years ago, I'd have been considered in league with the De
  24. Immaculate Conception? by Burlador · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Immaculate Conception != Virgin birth

  25. Headline fail by psychonaut · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Immaculate conception != virgin birth. Immaculate conception refers to the doctrine in Catholicism, and some other branches of Christianity, that Mary was born without original sin. Mary was otherwise conceived the normal way (i.e., as a result of her two parents having sex).

  26. Not an immaculate conception by Bakerman · · Score: 0, Redundant

    'Immaculate conception' has nothing to do with virgin birth. It refers to one of the dogmas of the catholic church, that the virgin Mary was conceived (by her parents) without original sin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_conception

  27. Virgin birth != immaculate conception by stompertje · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The concept of original sin is restricted to man, and does not include boa constrictors. Immaculate conception of a boa is therefore nonsense. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception