In principle, it may be possible to keep that cell dividing. In 2004, as a means to elucidate the details of how fertilized eggs develop, scientists in Japan engaged in some genetic trickery to create a fatherless mouse. Such a developmental process probably didn't happen in the little town of Bethlehem two millennia ago--the mistranslation of "young girl or maid" into "virgin" explains the story a lot better. But as the Komodo dragons' astonishing parthenogenesis feat shows, nature has plenty to teach us about making do without a mate.
Subscription Center
See what we're tweeting about
2 Comments
Add CommentOne wonders if there has been any study into the possibility of mutation should a parthenogenetic dragon attempt to mate with its parent.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"The virgin births of several male Komodo dragons at two English zoos might provide one explanation why Jesus was not a clone of Mary"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisReally SciAm? Jesus? for a supposedly science journal I expect better, more rational, dare I say more scientific, than that.