Y Chromosome is Disappearing

The Y Chromosome is Disappearing — A New Sex Gene May Be The Future of Men

The human Y chromosome, which determines male sex, is slowly disappearing, potentially spelling extinction for humans unless a new sex-determining gene evolves.

But there’s hope, as some rodents have already lost their Y chromosomes and found alternative ways to survive.

The Y chromosome contains the SRY gene, which initiates male development in human embryos. However, over millions of years, the Y has been shedding genes. If this trend continues, the last of its remaining 55 genes could vanish in 11 million years.

Rodents like mole voles in Eastern Europe and spiny rats in Japan have lost their Y chromosomes entirely, yet they continue to reproduce. In spiny rats, researchers identified a new sex-determining gene near SOX9 on chromosome 3, which appears to have replaced SRY.

This discovery provides optimism that humans could also evolve a new sex-determining gene. However, this evolutionary process comes with risks. If different sex-determining systems evolve in separate populations, it could lead to reproductive isolation and the emergence of new human species.

In 11 million years, visitors to Earth might find no humans at all—or a world inhabited by multiple human species, each with its own unique way of determining sex.

Unknown's avatar

Author: GreatCosmicMothersUnited

I have joined with many parents affected with the surreal , yet accepted issue of child abuse via Pathogenic Parenting / Domestic abuse. As a survivor of Domestic Abuse, denial abounded that 3 sons were not affected. In my desire to be family to those who have found me lacking . As a survivor of psychiatric abuse, therapist who abused also and toxic prescribed medications took me to hell on earth with few moments of heaven. I will share my life, my experiences and my studies and research.. I will talk to small circles and I will council ; as targeted parents , grandparents , aunts , uncles etc. , are denied contact with a child for reasons that serve the abuser ...further abusing the child. I grasp the trauma and I have looked at the lost connection to a higher power.. I grasp when one is accustomed to privilege, equality can feel like discrimination.. Shame and affluence silences a lot of facts , truths that have been labeled "negative". It is about liberation of the soul from projections of a alienator , and abuser ..

Leave a comment