Science Alert: Scientists find the first known genetic cause for ‘virgin birth’ in animals by tinkering with fruit fly genes

The researchers induced virgin birth, also known as parthenogenesis, in a species of fruit fly. The genetically tweaked fruit flies could then pass down the ability to following generations. Scientists have previously identified parthenogenesis in animals such as snakes, birds, fish and lizards, but the new study is the first to provide a genetic basis for why it happens. The findings could have implications for food security, as virgin births may be becoming more common among crop pests. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for alerts Science Alert July 28, 11:01 a.m. EDT Scientists find the first known genetic cause for 'virgin birth' in animals by tinkering with fruit fly genes The researchers induced virgin birth, also known as parthenogenesis, in a species of fruit fly. The genetically tweaked fruit flies could then pass down the ability to following generations. Scientists have previously identified parthenogenesis in animals such as snakes, birds, fish and lizards, but the new study is the first to provide a genetic basis for why it happens. The findings could have implications for food security, as virgin births may be becoming more common among crop pests. Read more   Advertisement

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