On human parthenogenesis

Spontaneous parthenogenetic and androgenetic events occur in humans, but they result in tumours: the ovarian teratoma and the hydatidiform mole, respectively. However, the observation of fetiform (ovarian) teratomas, the serependious identification of several chimeric human parthenotes and androgenotes in the last two decades, along with the creation of viable bi-maternal mice in the laboratory based on minor genetic interferences, raises the question of whether natural cases of clinically healthy human parthenotes have gone unnoticed to science. Here we present a hypothesis based on three elements to support the existence of such elusive individuals: mutations affecting (i) genomic imprinting, (ii) meiosis and (iii) oocyte activation. Additionally, we suggest that the routine practice of whole genome sequencing on every single newborn worldwide will be the ultimate test to this controversial, yet astonishing hypothesis. Finally, several medical implications of such intriguing event are presented.