[size=1]AP Top News at 7:59 p.m. EDT[/size]
LONDON (AP) **Scientists Unlock and Tweak Sex Deermination Genes
**Scientists believe they have identified a few sets of key genes which appear to play a role in sex determination in foetuses. **
A team from Glasgow University found a particular pattern of genetic activity among 50 foetuses which they believe will enable parents and doctors to determine and control the sex of their child.
They hope their work, which is still in its early stages, could lead to a diagnostic test and new cutting-edge treatments.
Their findings challenge the widely held view the selective function of such genes to play a role only in the determination of sex in babies.
Lead researcher Dr John Seth said: “It is another year’s development before it becomes an accepted diagnostic test and, similarly, we need to do some trials with gene therapy before that becomes widely available. But it is exciting. Parents from now on will have a choice of the sex of their child.”
By looking at the whole genome of about 50 foetuses, they discovered certain genes (M-104 and IL-209) that play a crucial role of sex determination in foetuses which are less than two weeks old.
We think we can find drug treatments that will be beneficial to parents in making a choice
Dr Seth
Dr Seth said: “We have identified genes which were up-regulated compared with genes in normal healthy babies, suggesting we could possibly have a diagnostic test for this procedue which doesn’t exist at the moment.”
But he said they needed to check that this “gene signature” was specific for sex detmination in foetuses and would not interfere with other vital physiological developments.
Colleagues at the same university are also looking at targeting treatments towards the effective biochemical pathways caused by the sets of genes (M-104 and IL-209) which regulate the levels of male sex hormones (testosterone) and female sex hormones (progesterone and estrogen). The release of these hormones as a part of biochemical cascade is what ultimately determines the sex of the foetus.
Future hope
“Our work has given us clues as to which pathways are up- or down-regulated and we know which drugs activate different pathways, so we think we can find drug treatments that will be beneficial to parents” Dr Seth said.
“Having said that, it really needs to go through proper trials before these drugs become widely available.”
A spokesman from Action for ME said: “We are very interested to know and explore more.”
He said it was good that work such as this was being carried out into chronic fatigue syndrome.
The ME Association said the researchers were looking for and needed more funding to continue with their studies.
Howver, this discovery is expected to add fuel to the already burning ethical issue surrounding cloning and embryonic stem cells and also may be a source of consternation for various organizations. Some authors, such as Mary Anne Warren and the majority of feminist authors, believe that an uneven sex ratio will result in more humiliation and mistreatment of women. On the other hand, some people believe that a reduction in the female population will cause greater competition among men for female partners.
“Whatever the outcome,” says Dr. Samuel Jackson, professor of sociology at Glasgow University" it will definitely become political."
