Recently, MSNBC and other news agencies reported that several species of reptiles and amphibians have been able to reproduce
asexually in a process known as parthenogenesis. Normally, animals like these reproduce sexually - meaning the coupling of
a male and a female - to produce offspring of genetically diverse origin (
Virgin Komodo dragon gives birth - Science - MSNBC.com). Yet the very prospect of asexual reproduction among animals which otherwise reproduce sexually leads to some interesting
theorizing, particularly when considering the validity and feasibility of a subject like the virgin birth of Christianity's
Jesus.
In some scholarly circles where the reliability of the story of the virgin birth comes into discussion, critics
and advocates both weigh the elements of the story in deciding whether that could even happen. Obviously, evidence supporting
asexual reproduction among mammals has yet to be uncovered, but as anyone familiar with the method of scientific investigation
will tell you, lack of evidence does not necessarily mean that something does not or cannot exist. Just because we knew nothing
about the fundamental particles of matter until relatively recently did not mean that - prior to their discovery - subatomic
particles did not exist. In the same manner, just because we have found no mechanism whereby mammals, or even humans, have
reproduced asexually does not mean that asexual reproduction in mammals cannot exist. Time and research will tell . . .
Yet
simply the evidence of such a process as parthenogenesis and its likelihood in producing viable offspring for reptiles and
amphibians may point to a scientific basis for a mechanism through which to explore the possibility of a virgin birth. Interestingly
enough, in their findings above, the process of parthenogenesis does not - and this is significant - result in simple clones
of the original "mother" creature but distinct genetic individuals instead, even of varying sexes. Humans have so much yet
to discover in biology, that precluding the possibility of parthenogenesis in mammals without intense study seems irresponsible
and smacks of hubris. Only through the scientific method of forming a hypothesis, testing, revising, retesting and theorizing
can the possibility of parthenogenesis among other animals - and eventually people - be determined. Until a definitive answer
is provided to this query, I say that the debate of an actual, factual virgin birth be met with healthy, skeptical credence
rather than just plain, closed-minded incredulity.
