While humanity has just begun to test the capabilities of gene editing technology, another historical first has been achieved in the scientific world. Scientists gave birth to two male mice and seven mice without a female mouse.
The birth of mice with two biological fathers was made possible by the transformation of XY chromosomes of a male mouse into XX. The team, led by Katsuhiko Hayashi of Osaka University, took the next step after transforming the chromosome.
Chromosomely modified male mouse produced eggs:
The skin cells of the male mouse whose chromosome was changed were used to create immature egg cells called ‘oocyte’. But this process was quite grueling.
These cells with X and Y chromosomes were reprogrammed into ‘pluripotent’ stem cells. In other words, cells became cells that could transform into any cell type.
In the next step, the Y chromosome in these cells was completely removed, and the X chromosomes were copied. These cells were later transformed into egg cells.
The final step was the fertilization of these cells. But this stage was not so successful. Although seven mice were born with these cells, only one of 100 fertilized cells survived and was born, Hayashi explained.
What does this success mean for the future?
Speaking to the BBC, Hayashi shared that she wants two same-sex partners to be capable of fertility in the future. She also stated that with the newly developed technique, women with genetic problems on an X chromosome can also have a chance to have children.
Ethics, on the other hand, is a completely different framework:
Although Hayashi and his team have achieved a groundbreaking success, it will be possible for this success to be implemented on people only in days when ethical discussions meet on a common ground. Because if similar studies are done on humans today, it will lead to great social debates.
It is not currently possible to apply the technique on humans:
The technology and technique used by Hayashi and his team for chromosome alteration is not yet applicable to humans, as mice are very different from humans. But according to Hayashi, the scientific world will reach this stage in the next 10 years.
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