Idk if this makes sense.

Obviously not via sexual reproduction but could a person’s genetic parents be of the same sex and that person be genetically indistinguishable from the rest of the population?

  • Fleur_@lemm.eeOP
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    24 days ago

    I feel cheated by this answer because it seems like the limiting factor is in the natural process of embryo development and not in if the genetic material itself is compatible.

    Further in the article it even says it could be possible from 2 sperm cells if you used stem cells to turn a sperm cell into an egg cell? So it is possible then. But only for males? Could you use stem cells to turn an egg cell into a sperm cell and accomplish a similar result from 2 egg cells?

    …I’m left with a strong inconclusive as to whether it’s possible :(

    • PunnyName@lemmy.world
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      24 days ago

      It’s likely possible, but not at this stage of humanity. The human genome was only unlocked in the past few decades.

      Gotta remember, the body of science of any field is still itself growing. More information becomes clear all the time. What was once considered impossible is now everyday boring stuff.

      There are limitations to what we can do, and what we know we can do. It isn’t until we test more and try different things and unlock new technologies that the impossible becomes possible.

    • nickwitha_k (he/him)@lemmy.sdf.org
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      23 days ago

      …I’m left with a strong inconclusive as to whether it’s possible :(

      Possible, yes. Possible with current technology and understanding, no.

      The methylation of DNA and other ways that its functionality is modified is something that is studied in epigenetics. Such modifications can also be carriers of heritable traits (ex. a study on Icelandic families found that experiencing famine could change the likelihood of diabetes two generations later). Modifying methylation has also been investigated for treatment of genetic diseases.

      Conceivably, epigenome editing could be used to modify the sperm/egg methylation to make them compatible. But, that’s probably a ways a way from being practical.

    • NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.world
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      23 days ago

      You seem to fixated on the aspect of feasability.

      Don’t you think there may be good reasons for these limiting factors (even when we have not discovered them)?

      It makes me think that we still don’t know enough about the true meaning of these dna parts.