No.
Multiple pathways now exist or are in active development that allow reproduction
without any male genetic contribution. In mice, this has been achieved.
In humans, it is approaching feasibility within the next decade.
Achieved in Mice
1. Bi-Maternal Reproduction via CRISPR
Requires: Two female donors + CRISPR + IVF
Researchers have created live mice with two mothers and no father by using
CRISPR to delete imprinted genes that normally require paternal contribution.
Haploid embryonic stem cells from one female are edited and combined with an
egg from another female. Offspring survived to adulthood and were fertile.
♀ + ♀ = viable offspring. Male genetic material: NOT REQUIRED.
Near Feasibility
2. In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG)
Requires: Skin cells + iPSC reprogramming + lab maturation
Skin or blood cells from any person can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent
stem cells (iPSCs), then differentiated into primordial germ cells, then matured
into eggs or sperm. In September 2025, scientists at OHSU created human eggs from
adult skin cells that formed blastocyst-stage embryos. Japan has approved human
embryo creation from stem cell-derived gametes. A single female could theoretically
produce both egg and sperm-equivalent cells from her own tissue.
♀ skin cell → egg + sperm-equivalent. Male genetic material: NOT REQUIRED.
Theoretical
3. Parthenogenesis + Genomic Editing
Requires: Single egg + artificial activation + CRISPR imprint correction
Parthenogenesis — an egg developing without fertilization — occurs naturally
in some reptiles, fish, and insects. In mammals, genomic imprinting normally
prevents this. However, CRISPR editing of imprinted gene regions could
theoretically allow a single female's egg to develop into a viable embryo
with artificially induced diploid genome from one genetic parent.
♀ egg only → edited → viable embryo. Male genetic material: NOT REQUIRED.
Near Feasibility
4. Same-Sex IVG + IVF
Requires: Two females + IVG sperm from one + egg from other + IVF
Using IVG to derive sperm cells from one female partner's skin cells,
then fertilizing the other female partner's egg via standard IVF. The
resulting child would be genetically related to both mothers. This is the
most commercially pursued pathway, with biotech companies like Conception
Biosciences actively developing the technology.
♀ + ♀ via IVG sperm = genetically related child. Male genetic material: NOT REQUIRED.
The Seveneves Scenario
In Neal Stephenson's novel, seven women survive extinction and must rebuild
the human species. In 2019, this was pure science fiction. In 2026, every
technology required for this scenario either exists or is in active development.
IVG can create sperm-equivalent cells from female tissue. CRISPR can edit
imprinted genes to allow bi-maternal embryos. Artificial wombs are in early
trials for premature infants. Genetic diversity could be maintained through
iPSC-derived gametes with controlled recombination.
Seven women. No men. The technology now exists to make this biologically plausible.
Stephenson wrote fiction. Science is catching up.
The male zygote is no longer a biological requirement.
It is now a choice.