Instead of using sperm, a new scientific breakthrough has been made after Shanghai scientists created mice with only two eggs and no sperm, China Daily reports.

Sperm cells have been known to be an integral part of sexual reproduction. However, scientists in Shanghai were able to create mice by altering an egg by removing two of its genes and making it function as a sperm before injecting it to another egg cell.

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Zhong Cuiqing, one of the researchers led by Li Jinsong from the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, said that the mice produced in this new discovery are healthy and are showing no difference in development and fertility from those who are conceived in a natural way.

"In our experiments, more than 15 out of 100 embryos finally developed into mice. They are healthy and show no difference in development and fertility from the ones that are naturally conceived," said Zhong Cuiqing as cited by China Daily.

The scientists also conducted an experiment involving two sperms, but it did not work out.

The discovery has raised concerns despite giving a possibility that mammals can reproduce without sperm. According Chinese sexologist and sociologist Li Yinhe, this kind of procedure can create ethical problems if applied to human beings.

"It will trigger severe ethical problems if such technique is applied to human beings. The whole social order would substantially change," said Yinhe as cited by the same news station.

Deputy director of Peking University Third Hospital's fertility center Liu Ping also said that this matter will be further discussed. She believes that "such innovation will not bring negative effects on the human society."

"After all, life is a serious matter," she said.

TagsScientist, New Discovery, Li Jinsong, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Mice, egg cells, Sperm, Li Yinhe, Shanghai Scientists Create Mice No Sperm, Reproduction without Sperm Cells