Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Changing Genes in a Fetus 
Name: Amanda
Status: Student
Age: 16
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: March 2004
Question:
Is it possible to change the X or Y chromosome of a fetus's genetic makeup before the fetus actually begins to develop?


Replies:
Sex is determined at the moment of conception. Whatever was done would have to be done at the moment of conception or very shortly after, or else every cell that is produced would have the combination of chromosomes determined at that time. Besides, why would you want to do that?

vanhoeck


Click here to return to the Molecular Biology Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory