Why would a species of intelligent parthenogenetics invent males?

In this hypothetical world, evolution occurs as it should. (Not to run afoul of any genetic diversity requirements of evolution; some simple viruses have aided in the genetic shifting process). But for various reasons, or for lack of various reasons; all eukaryotic species on the planet reproduce with some form of parthenogenesis instead of the dimorphism with which we are most familiar. Physiologically, you may assume the dominant bipedal intelligent species (Let's call them Parthans) is otherwise identical to humankind.

Perhaps coincidentally, Parthan society advances similarly if not almost identical to how Human society does with the obvious exception that there are no males, and all that this entails. Monogamous and polyamorous relationships are still formed, though like our society, poly relationships are not all too common. Certain achievements in the bedroom still result in pregnancy. Both parents may become pregnant, but the daughter only inherits direct DNA from her childbearing mother. Birth control drugs are still seen by some as 'unnatural'.

Fast forward a few centuries. By this point in the advancement of the species, Parthan-kind has developed a high-tech space-faring society. Though commercial and somewhat restrictive, travel to large Parthan colonies in nearby star systems is fairly common. It is at this point that a few ambitious Parthans decide to genetically engineer the concept of dimorphic reproduction.

To narrow it down a bit, let's say that their primary goal is to re-engineer their own species, and to ensure the procedure is safe and humane (parthane?), they first engineer various types of dimorphism in a few other species.

Assume the following:

• An indefinite amount of time has passed in said universe, allowing the Parthen species to actually 'evolve' through viral DNA mutation; Assume they exist.
• Males would not evolve genetically given any amount of time; Assume that sexual dimorphism is not obvious for cells, that relying upon an outside organism for reproduction is evolutionarily counterintuitive on the cellular level. Males don't exist elsewhere in the universe to provide inspiration.
• It is considered unethical to engineer the race merely for purposes of genetic diversity.

What other specific reason or cause might fuel a group of Parthans to make this decision to engineer males within their own species?

posted over 9 years ago

Ayelis‭

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