Can Creatures Morph into a Different Sex? Splice vs Nature
by Wajiha Paracha
Can you imagine a creature switching from one gender to another just when they feel like it? Well, that's what happened in splice with Dren; a creature made from animal hybrids and human DNA.
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| Image: dren (creature) infant of Clive and Elsa (genetic engineers) |
More about the film Splice: Splice was released in 2019 and portrayed the obstacles and pitfalls that genetic engineers: Elsa and Clive had to go through by secretly making a human-animal hybrid, Dren. Both are partners in the laboratory of a genetic science corporation. Initially, they were attempting to create an animal hybrid gene which turned out to be successful. Although the corporation had got what they needed, Clive and Elsa proposed how they can take the level up and add human DNA. The proposal was rejected but Elsa was stubborn to find out what would happen next, so she secretly added human DNA into the lab work. After a few days Dren came into existence; a half-human, half-animal hybrid creature. Dren was not an ordinary creature, she progressed in an age very quickly, she was very smart and had the characteristics of both humans and certain animals e.g. having an amphibious nature, having wings like a bat, emotional needs like a human, etc. Another very striking ability Dren had which was revealed near the end of the film, was her ability to shift genders. This came as a plot twist when Dren may have felt the need to reproduce her species. She first approached Clive, who didn't react well and ended up being killed by Dren in a fight. She then approached Elsa after she shifted to a male and forcibly impregnated her. In the end, Elsa decides to keep the baby.
As portrayed by the film, Dren wanted her species to grow which explains why she shifted her gender. Gender change is always associated with a reason. We will learn more about this as I talk about natural species changing their gender
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| Premature Dren being fed by Elsa |
Is gender change even possible? Yes, in fact, some animals are capable of changing their gender! The phenomenon is known as sequential hermaphroditism. This would also explain how Dren had the ability to change her gender (she had several animal genes). Let's look at some examples:
1. Clownfish (a.k.a Nemo)
Clownfish can change their sex when there's a need. According to Ted-Ed, all clownfish start off as males but may change their gender later on if need be. For instance, clownfish spend their lives in small groups with a strict dominance hierarchy. The dominant male and female of the group will be the only ones to reproduce and if the dominant female dies, the dominant male substitutes for her, and the next male fish in the hierarchy takes his place. Combined, they make the new dominant couple. This helps understand how clownfish may change their gender if the dominant fish who is responsible for reproduction, dies. This is also very similar to Dren's reason for sex change.
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| Clownfish shot by Blue Planet |
2. Central Bearded Dragons
It's interesting how some animals react to heat, while some find themselves a cool spot, the central bearded dragons change their sex... Also known as Pogona vitticeps. These sophisticated reptiles can activate one of two different sets of their genes to change from a male to a female. The first set of genes have to do with the reptile's chromosomes. The second set relies on temperatures, particularly heat. The female bearded dragon owns ZW chromosomes, while the male ones have ZZ. According to Inverse,
"high temperature can reverse the course of the male bearded dragon’s chromosomes, causing them to become female before they even hatch." -Inverse
This shows us how sex change not only to do with reproduction but also temperature. According to Ted-ed, the sex of animals like alligators and turtles also depends on temperature. A significant amount of time after the eggs have been laid, warm temperatures lead to females, and cool temperatures lead to males.
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| Bearded Dragon |
Originally found in African nations like Burundi. Inverse highlights a study conducted in 1989 where it was observed that out of the 24 frog subjects, 7 changed their sex from female to male. This specific type of switch is referred to as protogyny. The report suggests that the reason behind it may be when a population strongly prefers males. What's more shocking is that humans may be contributing to sex changes in frogs as pointed out by Inverse. A study was conducted in 2010, where exposure to a particular pesticide known as Atrazine has caused 1 out of 10 frogs to change their sex. Moreover, an emasculating change was detected in 2/3rd of the remaining frogs. This shows how when it comes to sex change in animals like Reed frogs, we may not have all the reasons why it's happening, it could simply be a matter of preference.
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| Africa's Colorful Reed Frogs - Reptiles Magazine. |
These examples help us understand why Dren was able to change her gender. Although the film didn't specifically specify what animal hybrid DNA they used. But Dren had human DNA in her too, and so far humans do not have the ability to naturally shift their gender.
Can humans create species like Dren?
Splicing isn't as difficult as it seems in the film. BBC asked Dr. Jennfifer Rohn how realistic the concept behind splice is. She emphasizes how splicing is a lot more common than it seems.
"In reality, this is a misconception: all living things share the same genetic material, so there is no technical impediment to cutting and pasting together whatever you want regardless of its origin." -Dr. Jennifer Rohn.
However, Dr. Jennifer does add that creating extreme hybrids stable enough to survive is extremely challenging and difficult to achieve. Even cloning accurate copies of higher mammals is something that is difficult to do. So conclusively, Animals can change their sex depending on their situations, but humans may have to take a different approach because nature has not made for us a way like Central Bearded Dragons or clownfish! regardless, it is still very interesting how some animals have the ability to do that. Will there even be a happy ending if we did figure out a way to splice human/animal hybrids? because the film has a different story to tell, maybe splicing humans/animals isn't such a good idea after all.
To learn more about Splice and sex change, go here:
References: used:
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