Author notes

080. It Takes One

usedbooks

on May 9, 2010

Parthenogenesis is a type of asexual reproduction. The offspring forms from an unfertilized egg without the presence of a male. This phenomenon has been seen in many reptiles – including cases in species that typically reproduce sexually. Most interesting is the case of the whiptail lizards, which exist as entirely female populations. That's right. No males at all. This phenomenon has not be documented to occur naturally in mammals, but it has been induced in lab mice, rabbits, monkeys, and others.

Before we start to plan a civilization of maleless Amazons, however, we need to know that it is unlikely to be induced in humans due to technical problems with the process. Also, we consider that genetic recombination is a good thing and important to the survival of species with such short generations.

Plus, there are other benefits of having two parents, and humans are in no danger of going extinct from our "low population." XD