Lately, more calls are growing for the so-called monoclonal and monocultural; which suits the frustration some females are confronting in locating a matching spouse. There were no logic to support rejecting their calls, as technology proved ways to do. The following report comes with proven rejection, which merely based on science, nor culture or religion. Now; the “Marriage” institution receives a strong scientific support. Therefore, the sexual reproduction should receive more cultural appreciation, in addition to its long lasting legal and epistemic ones. On the contrary, the research shakes the false grounds for the asexual-reproduction, as no scientific support against its potential risks or futuristic odd-results. I can also see that homosexuality is not an authentic element on our gene-cultural profiling, but temporarily or somehow man-made phenomenon, needs revisiting its foundations. Should we say that “Nature” or “Creator” knew how to set our spices in the optimum format? 
Swiss-led scientists may be one step closer to finding the answer to a big evolutionary mystery – why do most species have sex to reproduce?From his studies of snails, Jukka Jokela, from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology near Zurich, has found evidence to suggest that sex may have partly evolved as a defence against parasites. "It's not clear what the advantage is of sexual reproduction," evolutionary biologist Jokela told swissinfo.ch. "Imagine you have a good genome and are successful in your environment. But then for some reason, at the point of reproduction, you decide to mix your genome by accepting some genes from someone else, basically random genes from the environment. It's not clear why this is advantageous." Added to this is the fact that reproducing without sex - like microbes, some plants and even some fish and reptiles - would seem to be more efficient. After all, every individual in an asexual species can reproduce on its own. Two – including a seemingly superfluous non-reproducing male - are needed in sexual reproduction.
Sex dominant
"The question is, why don't these clones win? Why don't they just reproduce more efficiently than the sexual lineages and what prevents them from taking over those populations where you have both asexual and sexual lineages?" Jokela said. To help explain why sex remains so dominant in the living world, Jokela turned to the minute freshwater New Zealand mud snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum. This common snail is an ideal candidate as it has both asexual and sexual versions co-existing in the same environment. Working with researchers from Washington State University and Indiana University, Jokela monitored various populations of the mud snail, paying special attention to parasite infection rates, over a period of ten years. At first the clones were very successful, and seemed "to be winning the game", Jokela said. Then, suddenly, they tended to decline, before disappearing from the natural system.
Clones' decline
"What we found was that it was actually parasites, which were specialising through natural selection on these very common genotypes, that were driving the decline of these common clones," he explained. "So it appears that the sexually reproducing lineages are on average better at resisting this type of parasite which is detrimental to these clonal genotypes."
Sexual snail populations had remained stable during this time. The authors of the study, which appeared in the July edition of the American Naturalist journal, suggest that sexual reproduction therefore provides an evolutionary advantage in parasite-rich environments. In other words, mixing genes up via sex is a good defence mechanism. Although the hypothesis that parasites keep asexual organisms from getting too plentiful had already been predicted by mathematical models, Jokela's study was the first time it had ever been demonstrated in nature.
"What we found was that it was actually parasites, which were specialising through natural selection on these very common genotypes, that were driving the decline of these common clones," he explained. "So it appears that the sexually reproducing lineages are on average better at resisting this type of parasite which is detrimental to these clonal genotypes."
Sexual snail populations had remained stable during this time. The authors of the study, which appeared in the July edition of the American Naturalist journal, suggest that sexual reproduction therefore provides an evolutionary advantage in parasite-rich environments. In other words, mixing genes up via sex is a good defence mechanism. Although the hypothesis that parasites keep asexual organisms from getting too plentiful had already been predicted by mathematical models, Jokela's study was the first time it had ever been demonstrated in nature.
Pesky parasites
He said that studies in other systems would now be needed, as well as a better understanding of what happens at a genetic level when parasites invade an organism. The research also gives food for thought. The importance of genetic diversity when it comes to disease interactions is something to bear in mind in our agricultural systems, which are very monoclonal and monocultural, the scientist added. Most living organisms on the planet have to deal with some sort of detrimental disease or parasite. "So maybe one of the common denominators for why sexual reproduction is so widespread is that these types of pathogens, which can specialise at the genetic level, are a common phenomenon," he said. So there would seem to be some advantage to having these pesky parasites after all.
Isobel Leybold-Johnson in Zurich, swissinfo.ch
He said that studies in other systems would now be needed, as well as a better understanding of what happens at a genetic level when parasites invade an organism. The research also gives food for thought. The importance of genetic diversity when it comes to disease interactions is something to bear in mind in our agricultural systems, which are very monoclonal and monocultural, the scientist added. Most living organisms on the planet have to deal with some sort of detrimental disease or parasite. "So maybe one of the common denominators for why sexual reproduction is so widespread is that these types of pathogens, which can specialise at the genetic level, are a common phenomenon," he said. So there would seem to be some advantage to having these pesky parasites after all.
Isobel Leybold-Johnson in Zurich, swissinfo.ch
Comments
Fsolano , Switzerland: Asexual reproduction could be a great answer for those couple that wishes kids but are unable to have by their own. Or for those who doesn't want to be involved on a relation, me however, I enjoy more the traditional system: nature has proven one more time to knows better: talking strictly scientifically.
Odette Kalman , Canada: Nature seems always to find a solution to heal itself, man-made interference does not. Referring to "Monoculture" makes me think about overproduction in one corner of the World and famine in another. Whereas homosexuality may be a natural way of preventing overpopulation. Odette KalmanCanada
Lynx , Switzerland: I've known a few parasites during my time in Switzerland, all after me for either my money and/or my passport. Whatever happened to real love ?Thanks Odette for explaining the rise in homosexuality. But why did this have to happen during my time on earth. It looks like I am destined to remain alone (well, happily divorced) since I refuse to become gay just to be loved.
vivek , India: nice to explain genetic differentiation concept,n survival of fittest with sex
Fsolano , Switzerland: Asexual reproduction could be a great answer for those couple that wishes kids but are unable to have by their own. Or for those who doesn't want to be involved on a relation, me however, I enjoy more the traditional system: nature has proven one more time to knows better: talking strictly scientifically.
Odette Kalman , Canada: Nature seems always to find a solution to heal itself, man-made interference does not. Referring to "Monoculture" makes me think about overproduction in one corner of the World and famine in another. Whereas homosexuality may be a natural way of preventing overpopulation. Odette KalmanCanada
Lynx , Switzerland: I've known a few parasites during my time in Switzerland, all after me for either my money and/or my passport. Whatever happened to real love ?Thanks Odette for explaining the rise in homosexuality. But why did this have to happen during my time on earth. It looks like I am destined to remain alone (well, happily divorced) since I refuse to become gay just to be loved.
vivek , India: nice to explain genetic differentiation concept,n survival of fittest with sex
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