Okay, fine, some people prefer to call this early in-utero period as one without sex, but if you want to be technical about it, the early stages embryonic development are courtesy of the X chromosome. Granted, if an embryo has a Y chromosome, it's there from the moment of conception — but Mr. Y doesn't lift a finger…

In a step forward in stem cell research, scientists have created the cells by combining a human egg with skin-cell DNA. However, this doesn't eliminate the need for more controversial embryonic stem cell research.

First there was artificial sperm, now there's evidence that the Y chromosome is deteriorating and may even disappear. Are we heading for a male-free society?