Scientists Believe Our Gender Is Determined By An Ancient Virus

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Gender and sex of babies determined by ancient virus

A new study from Yale University suggests that the gender of humans (and other mammals) may be determined and regulated by a virus which integrated and attached to mammalian genomes 1.5 million years ago.

According to a report on GeoBeats News:

The scientists found there’s a mechanism that switches the virus off on the X chromosome–where an organism’s sex is determined.

According to a summary of the findings, “If the level of this molecular marker is normal, X chromosomes remain active, and females and males will be born at an equal ratio. If this marker is overrepresented, X chromosomes will be silenced, and males will be born twice as often as females.”

Andrew Xiao, senior author of the study, noted, “Basically, these viruses appear to allow the mammalian genome to continuously evolve, but they can also bring instability…

Aside from the embryo, the only other places people have found this virus active is in tumors and neurons.”

Xiao also said it’s possible the viral mechanism could be used to suppress cancer.

Royce Christyn

Royce Christyn

Journalist at News Punch
Documentarian, Writer, Producer, Director, Author.
Royce Christyn

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