Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)
Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781305251052
Author: Michael Cummings
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Chapter 16, Problem 7QP

Researchers are learning how to transfer sperm-making cells from fertile male mice into infertile male mice in the hopes of learning more about reproductive abnormalities. These donor spermatogonia cells have developed into mature spermatozoa in 70% of cases, and some recipients have gone on to father pups (as baby mice are called). This new advance opens the way for a host of experimental genetic manipulations. It also offers enormous potential for correcting human genetic disease. One potentially useful human application of this procedure is treating infertile males who wish to be fathers.

  1. a. Do you foresee any ethical or legal problems with the implementation of this technique? If so, elaborate on the concerns.
  2. b. Could this procedure have the potential for misuse? If so, explain how.
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