As most people know, asexual reproduction is reproduction without the requirement for a partner. There are claims that it can happen in nature among a very select few species. Our understanding of nature is that it is a balance, and everything is set up for the survival of the species.
One of the problems with asexual reproduction is the lack of diversity in your gene pool. Therefore a weakness in one would spread it to all offspring, and if it existed in the first, then the entire species would have it. There is a benefit in members of the species being capable of asexual reproduction but not using it as the normal reproductive method. For example a female shark in captivity recently gave birth despite the fact that it had not had contact with a male in over three years. Scientist believe that shark sperm could survive for later reproduction, but not that long. A couple of months is the longest it could survive.
Now here is when we have to talk about scientific discovery, it is based on one of two things. One, a theory then experiments to prove or disprove that theory. Or two, an observation then an examination of the facts which will explain that observation.
So in the case of the shark, they thought that asexual reproduction was possible, but had no way to prove it. You can’t force asexual reproduction. However when they observed the shark giving birth, the examination of the facts led them to asexual reproduction.
Why am I talking about this you ask? Because today I observed asexual reproduction in my very own kitchen. You may want to be sitting down for this.
This morning I wanted an English muffin for breakfast, last night I had held the package of English muffins in my hands and knew there to only be one. Today when I went to retrieve my single English muffin, I found the package contained not one but THREE. This observation led me to one conclusion, asexual reproduction in captive English muffins.
I supported my theory by looking in the cupboards for another package in case there was indeed a package with only one English muffin. Such a package was not found. Next I examined the conditions, I do the shopping and I had not bought more English muffins in a few days. Last time I was at the store I remember that I was almost out (I had only one left) I did not buy any and there were no other English muffin purchases and then consumption of some of those purchased muffins.
All evidence led to one thing, asexual reproduction. Now to further twist you noodle, the evidence also leads to English muffins being the only bread/wheat based product capable of reproduction. My flour soft tacos shells have not increased in number despite the fact that there were a number of them in the same package.
I guess it is possible that among flour products asexual is the only type of reproduction and they only do it to increase the numbers of the species. It could possibly be a defense response. For example if the English muffin continues to reproduce, then I would continue to eat the ones I first grab, thus leaving the one in the bottom of the bag untouched. So that would be more like cloning and not actual reproducing of offspring. Just something to think about. I will continue to monitor the experiment and give you updates. In order to repeat the conditions, I toasted two English muffins, one for me and one for my daughter. So there remains only one in the package, we will see what happens.
What do you think, asexual reproduction or defense response for survival?
Another something to think about, how do you think it would change masturbation if women could get pregnant from it?
