For the first time, scientists have successfully created mice that can produce offspring with two fathers. This breakthrough marks a significant step towards enabling same-sex couples to father children genetically related to both men.
Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China used a technique called epigenome editing to reprogram seven sites in the sperm DNA of two male mice. The team then combined these modified sperm cells with an egg that had its nucleus removed, resulting in 259 embryos being transferred to female mice. However, only two offspring – both males – survived and grew to adulthood, making the success rate very low.
The creation of mice with two fathers is a challenging task, but scientists have overcome this hurdle using epigenome editing without altering the DNA sequence. In contrast, creating mice with two mothers was achieved more easily in 2004 when the first fertile “motherless” mouse, Kaguya, was reported. This achievement paved the way for the successful creation of fatherless mice using only epigenome editing.
The development of this technology holds promise for future breakthroughs in genetic engineering and potentially enables same-sex couples to build a family without relying on surrogacy or other forms of assisted reproduction.
Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2485396-mice-with-two-fathers-have-their-own-offspring-for-the-first-time