China Created First Mammal With Two Fathers

A team of scientists from the field of stem cells for the first time successfully created a mouse with two biological fathers using the technologies for editing embryonic stem cells. A unique experiment led to the appearance of a b. The results of the study were published on January 28, 2025 in

Important step was to edit 20 key imprinting genes using various methods: mutations with a displacement of the reader, deletion of genes and editing regulatory areas. These modifications made it possible to receive bi-paternal mice, some of which reached adulthood. Moreover, the work showed that genes have improved the stability of the pluripotence of stem cells.

However, the experiments were faced with a number of restrictions. Only 11.8% of the embryos developed to the stage of birth, and the surviving mice suffered from developmental defects, a short life expectancy and sterility. Despite this, mice showed increased cloning efficiency.

According to Qiu Jou, one of the authors of the study, imprinting genes remain a key barrier to artificial reproduction of mammals using same -sex parental cells. Further modifications of these genes can lead to the creation of bi-paternnel organisms with complete gametes, which will open up new prospects in regenerative medicine and the treatment of diseases associated with imprinting genes.

The team plans to continue working by spreading the methodology to more complex organisms, including monkeys. However, this will require significant efforts, since the combinations of imprinting genes in monkeys are very different from the mouse.

Although the results of the study open up prospects in medicine, the use of technology for people is in question. According to the ethical standards of the International Society for Star Cell Studies, the use of genomic editing for hereditary changes or the creation of human gametes from stem cells is currently prohibited, since it is considered unsafe.

/Reports, release notes, official announcements.