Will Men Be Able to Have Babies Soon?

The idea of men having biological children without the involvement of a woman has long been considered science fiction. However, recent breakthroughs in reproductive science are beginning to blur the lines between what was once fantasy and what may soon become reality. In a pioneering experiment in Japan, scientists have successfully bred mice using two biological fathers and no mother. This development has sparked discussions and debates about the future of human reproduction and what it could mean for couples struggling with infertility, same-sex parents, and the traditional family structure.

The Breakthrough: Mice with Two Fathers

In 2023, a research team led by Dr. Katsuhiko Hayashi at Osaka University made headlines worldwide. They managed to produce mice that were born from two male parents without the need for a female donor. The process involved an advanced scientific method called In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG), which enables the creation of gametes (sperm or eggs) from stem cells in a laboratory environment.

Here’s how they did it: scientists took skin cells from male mice and reprogrammed them into pluripotent stem cells, which are capable of developing into various cell types. From there, they removed the Y chromosome in some of these cells and duplicated the X chromosome, effectively creating cells with a female-like XX configuration. These were then developed into egg cells. When fertilized with sperm from another male, the resulting embryo was implanted into a surrogate female mouse, and healthy baby mice were born.

This marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time offspring have been produced from two male parents without using a female’s genetic material.

What Is IVG and Why Is It Important?

In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG) is a technique that allows scientists to generate gametes from somatic (non-reproductive) cells, such as skin cells. This differs from traditional assisted reproductive technologies like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), which require existing sperm and egg cells. With IVG, even individuals who do not produce gametes naturally—such as infertile individuals or same-sex couples—could, in theory, have children with their own DNA.

The implications are vast. Not only could this revolutionize treatment options for infertility, but it could also offer new family-building opportunities to same-sex couples, single individuals, and even those who have lost their fertility due to illness or age.

The Social and Ethical Implications

Naturally, a development of this magnitude brings with it a host of ethical and social questions. One of the most pressing concerns is whether this technology could signal the end of the traditional nuclear family model composed of a father, a mother, and their children.

Some scholars argue that the nuclear family is a relatively recent social construct, rooted in economic and agricultural developments during the Neolithic Revolution. Marriage and family were historically tied to property inheritance and land ownership, which required clear lines of biological descent. In this context, monogamous heterosexual marriage became the norm, ensuring that property was passed down to legitimate heirs.

But in the modern world, social norms are evolving. Same-sex marriage is legal in many countries, gender roles are shifting, and technological advancements are reshaping how we think about reproduction and family. While IVG might not dismantle the nuclear family overnight, it does open up new possibilities that challenge traditional assumptions.

A Delayed but Promising Future for Humans

It is important to note that, so far, IVG has only been successfully demonstrated in mice. While the breakthrough is promising, translating this technology to humans involves significant scientific, ethical, and legal hurdles. Creating viable egg cells from male human stem cells is an enormously complex task, and any attempt to produce human embryos in this way would face intense scrutiny.

Many researchers estimate that it could take another decade or more before IVG becomes a safe and reliable option for human reproduction. In addition to technical barriers, there are also legal and ethical concerns. Countries will need to develop new regulations to address issues such as parentage, consent, and the potential misuse of the technology for non-medical purposes.

The Impact on Infertility Treatments

One of the most hopeful aspects of IVG is its potential to transform the landscape of infertility treatment. Currently, many couples who struggle to conceive must turn to donor sperm or eggs, meaning the resulting child is not genetically related to one or both parents. With IVG, infertile individuals could theoretically produce their own gametes, allowing them to have children who are genetically related to both parents.

This could be especially significant for individuals who have undergone treatments such as chemotherapy, which can result in permanent infertility. By reprogramming their own cells into gametes, they could have biological children even after losing their reproductive capability.

Ethical Questions: Where Do We Draw the Line?

As with any groundbreaking technology, IVG raises profound ethical questions. Should we allow people to create gametes from any cell in their body? Would this open the door to “designer babies,” where parents choose specific traits for their children? Could people misuse the technology to reproduce without the consent of the other genetic contributor?

These are not hypothetical concerns. The development of technologies like CRISPR (gene editing) has already shown that scientific progress often outpaces legal and ethical frameworks. The same could happen with IVG unless strict regulations and ethical guidelines are put in place early on.

Public Reaction and Future Prospects

The public response to IVG and the possibility of male pregnancy has been mixed. While some hail the discovery as a beacon of hope for those struggling with infertility or facing reproductive barriers, others express deep concern about the ethical ramifications.

Much like IVF, which was controversial when first introduced in the late 1970s but is now widely accepted, IVG may follow a similar path. It will take time for society to adjust to the idea of reproduction without traditional gametes. However, as the science advances and successful trials continue, acceptance may grow.

Several biotech startups are already exploring the commercialization of IVG for human use, though most experts urge caution. Clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and societal readiness will all influence how quickly—and ethically—this technology becomes available.

Conclusion: A New Era of Reproduction?

The possibility that men may one day have children without a female genetic donor is no longer pure science fiction. The Japanese experiment with two-father mice is a powerful demonstration of how far reproductive science has come—and how much further it might go. While significant challenges remain, from technical limitations to ethical concerns, the future of human reproduction could be fundamentally transformed by technologies like IVG.

As we stand on the threshold of this new frontier, we are reminded that with great scientific power comes great responsibility. Whether society is ready or not, the question is no longer if men will be able to have babies, but when—and how we will navigate the complex social, legal, and moral terrain ahead