The Future of Parthenogenesis
Recent advances in cloning technology have raised a number of scientific and ethical questions. In some cases, induced parthenogenesis may have the potential to act as an alternate pathway in order to achieve the same results as the hotly debated nuclear transfer cloning. [C]
One of the main ideas introduced into the cloning debate is the creation of life. A large gray are exists as to when life actually begins. Those who believe that life begins at conception (i.e. when the sperm meets the egg) are opposed to nuclear transfer because this technique mechanically introduces an already fertilized nucleus into a waiting egg.
In parthenogenesis, a sperm is not necessary. Are we, therefore, not creating life? If not, why does the egg divide to the level of blastocyte? How does this blastocyte differ from one that developed through traditional fertilization?
One of the results of induced parthenogenesis is stem cells. These pluripotent cells are readily available in the developing egg. With increasing stem cell research, both the legal restrictions on stem cell cultivation, as well as the demand for stem cells has dramatically increased. If stem cells could be successfully obtained through this process, they would have great scientific and societal value.
- What scientific limitations prevent the widespread production of stem cells through parthenogenetic growth?
Due to the fact that parthenogenesis requires the presence of an egg and negates the involvement of the sperm, it is nearly impossible for male individuals to create stem cells this way. If the stem cells were produced, would they still be viable in the original female?
While more research is necessary in order to address these concerns, parthenogenesis remains an interesting phenomena. When it is reproduced synthetically, unique opportunities result. While manipulation of parthenogenesis may allow researched to sidestep the words of the law, it does not change the underlying principles, both positive and negative, surrounding the potential use of cloning in humans.