AWKWARD ZOMBIE

I read somewhere that women's skin cells can be transformed into sperm cells, so theoretically, men don't HAVE to be a thing.

Theoretically, any cell can be turned into a sperm cell. The main issue between somatic and gametic cells is that your body devotes more energy into DNA maintenance of your gametic cells. While your body is making sure the DNA that goes into your spawn is as pristine and flawless as the day you yourself was spawned, the rest of your cells are having their DNA snipped like it's the day before your big interview.

Meaning: The older you are, the more different your somatic cells are from your gametic cells. Some of it through mutation, most of it through your DNA being shortened via issues related to replication.

Meaning: Sure, you can make sperm cells from your skin, and say that it can effectively make men obsolete. The problem is that this would be like throwing away your current computer in favor of owning the model they used in the 1960s.

Because you're worried that your current computer is hindering your ability to live a sane and normal life.

Shouldn't it be theoretically possible to create sperm cells from egg cells though?

Hey, this reminds me of that Rick and Morty episode! "Raising Gazorpazorp," it was called.

The simplest way to do it is to just trick any egg into self fertilizing. Prior to going through Anaphase II, each egg just stops until it's released for that magical time of the month, where it lets the other half of its genetic code go to do...whatever it wants. It's free. Pricking the egg (with anything) apparently tricks it into thinking it's been fertilized, so it'll just reabsorb that other half of its genetic code and start developing as though that other half of the genetic code was what fertilized it. It's how this one species of female only lizard has been living since it lost its own male population. Of course now, you end up with exact clones of the mother instead of a cross of the mother and father (or "father") which, in evolutionary terms, is only a step above using somatic cells for the feat. It's using more stable genetics for the same purpose, but there's still the question behind how adaptive it is to have population of clones vs. mixing the gene pool a bit with each generation. Then you get the philosophical dilemma created by Aeon Flux.

Who said anything about cloning? Women could donate their transmogrified sperm cells at a sperm bank for other women looking to get pregnant. Then, with the two sets of DNA mixed together, a new generation is formed.

Then they'll make China-tier laws about male children

Nah, they'll just be neutered.

4 posts above you it is explained what the problem is with transmogrified sperm cells.

Aw, the sperm DNA isn't used with the egg DNA if there's two X chromosomes in the sperm? That's gay.

It's like this.

Women only have an X chromosome to donate to any offspring, whether it's in cloning or normal sexual reproduction. The options are as follows:

Use skin cells to produce a sperm cell: Since it's using your genetic code, as a female, any gamete produced by your skin will only have an X chromosome. Since it's a somatic cell, the DNA will have mutations, and have been shortened during regular cellular reproduction.

Using egg cells to produce a sperm cell: Since it's also using your genetic code, you can only donate an X chromosome to the offspring. Since it's gametic DNA, it's preserved as far as mutations and snipping are concerned.

Tricking your own egg into fertilizing itself: Like the previous two, you only have an X chromosome to donate to yourself. Since your egg is fertilizing itself, 100% of the DNA that goes into the offspring is from you, meaning the offspring will be genetically identical to you. This is where the "cloning" factor comes into play. You're essentially cloning yourself, using your own body as an incubator.

Normal fertilization: Male x Female fertilization. The male can donate either a Y or X chromosome, which is where you get the 50/50 chance on the sex of the offspring. Only gametic cells are used, so genetic integrity is preserved across the board. Allows for genetic diversity.

Context:



Is this something we should care about?


For the first point, I really don't know that it does. It seems to me more like trying to find an explanation for something that pretty much only dudes are doing.

Also correlation might not equal causation, but it can certainly imply it pretty strongly. Without the idea that correlation is related to causation we could bodaciously not do science.


Again, I'm going to have to disagree with the idea that speculating about the cause of a trend is the same as 'pushing a bullshit agenda'

I mentioned it was from her Twitter account because you said you didn't know the source. And whatever her intentions, at the very least, I find it poorly worded, badly timed, and narrow minded in the implication that cultural depictions of masculinity are THE reason for school shootings occuring.

It's also incredibly simplistic of her. A lot of the rest of the world has both guns and macho men, but school shootings aren't as regular as they are in the states. I don't doubt that "toxic masculinity" can play a part in gun culture. But it's dangerous to solely blame men and male culture for mass shootings.