THE MYSTERY OF SEX.

Shannon News, 8 June 1928, Page 2

THE MYSTERY OF SEX.

Professor J. Arthur Thomson, M.A.,L.L.D., says: It is to be expected that recent researches on the factors that determine tlie sex of offspring will be followed by the practical control of sex. In regard to some of the lower animals, this is already within reach; it is likely to become possible for domesticated birds and mammals. Another correlated probability is a step towards a clearer understanding of what is meant physiologically by maleness and feirialeness. No one yet knows what the essential differences arc. Another advance that is almost certain has to do with the artificial production of new departures or, variations in plants and animals. For the greater part they seem to arise from permutations and combinations in and among the hereditary initiatives or "factors" in the germ cells. By theuse of provocatives, such as appro* priatc doses of X rays, it'will be found increasingly possible to evoke some of those now departures. This might be useful with domesticated animals and cultimated plants that are becoming stodgy in their breeding. But care will have to be taken not to "press," for some stimulations are fatal. There is sure to be some advance made in regard to the still open qucs- ! tion whether peculiar experiences of parents, such as rats enjoy in being trained, do in any specific way influence the next generation. . Has the education of the parents any appreciable effect on the offspring? The answer is coming nearer. Another advance will be "the discovery of more instances of the role of "hormones" or internal secretions in backboneless animals. Much is known in regard to their occurrence and efficacy in backboned animals and in man, < . but only two or three cases are known ( of their presence and operation in . backboneless animals or in plants.

An extension of the range of hormones is on the horizon.